RENDER UNTO CAESAR

It’s my favorite time of year again – TAX TIME!

Grrr…

Yes, we have a CPA who puts all our information together for us in a nice, digitally acceptable form. He answers any questions we have. And I’m grateful for that. But the last time I checked, he does NOT come to the house and find all the stuff.

Several years ago, "The Hub" convinced me to get a filing cabinet…and actually use it. (If you remember, he’s the garage-cleaning, put away your stuff, hang up your clothes neatnik that I live with…)

It’s been a lifesaver – really.

But, there’s still a year’s-worth of stuff to dig out.

And then there’s the compiling, and writing, and adding, and subtracting (a lot of that going on these days) – all to make a nice, neat little pile for our CPA.

I hate it.

So, I’ve procrastinated just as long as I possibly can without losing any more sleep.

This weekend it was TIME.

So, like a beleaguered hound dog (not a blissfully happy beagle, mind you) – I slunk into the other room – the CABINET chambers – and started the work.

Drudgery – thy name is me.

"The Hub" was helpful. He brought me something to eat and drink from time to time. He reminded me to go to the bathroom. He said a very nice "Good night" to the top of my head last night…

And finally, late Sunday afternoon, I’m done – I think.

Only one more last-second "checking" mission – just to make sure I’ve got everything in its right place.

Because, you see, from my earliest memory my dad has struck fear into my heart about the IRS.

I think it stands for I REALLY SEE [you] –

So, I’m meticulously honest. Not just out of fear, but because it’s the right thing to do…(OK, it’s a little fear, just sayin’).

As I finished, I was reminded of a confrontation that took place between Jesus and some people sent out by the Pharisees. Their intention was to trap Him…

But Jesus is so very clever.

"Teacher," they said, "we know how honest you are. You teach the way of God truthfully. You are impartial and don’t play favorites. Now tell us what you think about this: Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?"

Oh, so very sly.

Butter Jesus up with some compliments, while hiding the knife behind your back…

But Jesus knew their evil motives.

You see, the Jews were required to pay taxes to support the Roman government. They hated this, because the money went directly into Caesar’s treasury. So, if Jesus said they should pay taxes, He could be called a traitor to their nation and their religion. If He said they should not, He could be reported to the Roman government as a rebel.

Catch-22…unless you’re Jesus.

"You hypocrites!" He said. "Why are you trying to trap me? Here, show me the coin used for the tax…Whose picture and title is stamped on it?"

"Caesar’s," they replied.

"Well, then," He said, "give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God."

End…of…discussion.

I wonder what Matthew, the former tax collector, thought of this little exchange!

Jesus made the wonderful point that we have dual citizenship. Our citizenship in our nation requires that we pay taxes – whether we like it or not, I might add! However, as citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven, we must pledge our ultimate obedience and commitment to God.

So, I must render unto Caesar what is due Caesar.

It is because of my citizenship in God’s Kingdom, because of my obedience to God, that I do this. Because He has called me to righteousness, and honesty, and integrity, and humility. He has called me to do the right thing, even when it hurts…

But, always and forever, my ultimate allegiance belongs to Him.

Have you done your taxes yet?!?

P.S. Um, God? It’s OK if You want to send a refund my way…

BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

BIBLE PICK 'EMS - Against the Crowd

Sometime in the future?

Judge: "Does the jury have a verdict?"

Jury Foreman: "Yes, your honor."

Judge: "Proceed."

Jury Foreman: "We, the jury, in the aforementioned case, do find the defendant guilty of being a Christian. We further find him/her guilty of three counts of illegal possession of a Bible, unlawful assembly with other Christians, and the forbidden proclamation of their message in public. For the high crime of treason, in this case the willful expression of allegiance to a higher authority than the government, we do hereby pronounce the death penalty."

In many areas of the world, being a Christian puts your life at risk.

It hasn’t happened in this country…yet.

But there is a much subtler persecution going on.

It’s very apparent that our country is being flooded with anti-Christian messages. Especially in the media. It is no longer "politically correct" to be a believer. We are considered "exclusive" and "hateful" and "narrow-minded." Those are some of the kinder names.

Have you faced this persecution?

Sometimes I find myself a bit isolated from it. Not intentionally, I am mostly surrounded by other believers. At church, in my Bible Study, in my small group. The Body of Christ is alive and well even in Blog Land.

All of my close friends are Christians.

But my sons, in their 20’s, experience a different world. Many of their friends are not. And they often find themselves on the "other" side of the fence when it comes to entertainment, and money, and socializing, and values.

It’s been this way for a while –

Even when my kids were in elementary school, we had to change Easter Break to Spring Break, and the Christmas Program magically morphed into the Holiday Program. My nephew, who’s in high school, only said the Pledge of Allegiance on Mondays last year – the rest of the week they read a "patriotic" piece.

It’s the whole mention of GOD that is so offensive these days.

Today’s "Bible Pick ‘Ems" reminded me of this sinful shift that is occurring in America – this move away from its Biblical beginnings, and its Christian values.

It takes place right before the fall of Jerusalem, during the reign of King Zedekiah. Zedekiah was a hard and stubborn man. He was one of the kings who "did evil in the sight of the Lord."

And disaster was looming on the horizon…

"The LORD, the God of their ancestors, repeatedly sent his prophets to warn them, for he had compassion on his people…But the people mocked these messengers of God and despised their words. They scoffed at the prophets until the LORD’S anger could no longer be restrained…" (2 Chronicles 36:15-16)

The next verse is the frightening conclusion to this willful turning away from God.

"So the LORD brought the king of Babylon against them."

Friends, I never want to be a purveyor of doom and gloom. It’s not my style. But when I read these verses, I took them as a good "wake-up call."

Persecution is real. We will be mocked, and our words will be despised. People will scoff at us...

It’s what happens when you stand up for the Lord.

And things may get worse. I pray not – I pray for a revival in this country. A changing in the hearts of its people. I pray for God to move mightily.

But in the meantime, we're going to suffer – for our message, for our values, for our Lord.

It’s OK – He has a great promise for us.

"God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven." (Matthew 5:11)

Are you feeling any persecution in your life? Are you willing to stand against it?

For me to live is Christ…

(Join me at Spiritual Sundays, with Charlotte and Ginger, and Super Sunday with Peggy)

"When in doubt, search God out!"

QUAINT WORDS

Welcome to "Quaint Words!”

These posts will contain thoughts, poems, and prayers from old books that I have found at antique stores, flea markets, and garage sales (with an occasional treasure from a bookstore).

I love the rhythm and sound of the older English language, and am blessed by other believers who have gone before me!

(A listing of books and authors, and also dates of individual postings from those books, will be found on my "QUAINT WORDS" page)

"'The god of this world' is his awful title - a title Divinely conceded to the Evil One, not because the Supreme has delegated His sovereignty, but because the world accords him its homage...

The lie of which he is the father is the denial of the Christ of God, the Christ of Calvary, the only mediator between God and men, the propitiation for the world's sins - the 'mercy seat' where an outcast sinner can meet a holy God and find pardon and peace...

But 'the lie' has other phases...Eternal judgment and a hell for the impenitent, redemption by blood, and the need of salvation through the death of the great Sin-bearer - these and kindred doctrines are rejected as survivals of a dark and credulous age: it is for man to work out his own destiny, and to raise himself to the Divine ideal...

A new gospel some men call this: it is the oldest gospel known. In every point it reminds us of the old, old words:

'Hath God said?'"

(From "The Silence of God" by Sir Robert Anderson, c. 1897)

BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

"FAN THE FLAME" FRIDAY - Forgiveness

Welcome to "Fan the Flame" Friday.

This is a weekly post that will be "short and sweet" (kinda like me...)

Just a word and a phrase, a sentence or a question...just a little something to "fan the flame" of your creativity!

Today's word: forgiveness

What does the word forgiveness mean to you?

Which is hardest for you? Accepting God's forgiveness, offering forgiveness to others, or giving forgiveness to yourself?

What is the cost of not allowing forgiveness to take place in your life?

Let me know what you think!!

"This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you…For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline." (2 Timothy 1:6-7)

BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"