Luke 20:1-44
...He said to them, "Then give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's." (20:25 NIV)
In today's reading, Jesus addressed the often sticky topic of taxes. We feel this is a modern day burden, but a quick read of this story tells us that people have been complaining about taxes for thousands of years!
The first half of Jesus's statement seems fairly easy to decipher: Give to the government what belongs to the government.
But what about that second half: "...to God what is God's." Many people interpret this to mean that we should tithe a portion of our income to God.
But what if it means more?
A few years ago, I heard a wonderful sermon about this passage. (I wish I could take credit for this interpretation, but I can't!)
The preacher told the story this way:
One of the men sent to spy on Jesus stepped forward and tried to trick Jesus with a question on taxes. Jesus answered, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's," and putting his hand on the man's shoulder finished, "and to God what is God's."
Doesn't this change that story for you?
We are completely and fully God's creation. He will never demand our service, but He asks that we give ourselves fully and generously back to Him.
Question: How can you give yourself to God? If this seems daunting, think about a talent or skill that God has given you. How can you use this gift for God?
Tomorrow's reading: Luke 20:45 - 21:38
(Today's post written by Allison Lynn)
posted by Allison Lynn @ 8:50 AM
2 Comments
2 Comments:
HI: Vs.1-44 of Luke 20th.chapter..
There is an lot there, so it's easy to focus on one point, but the political ugly head raises itself again, but alway's has to be taken in perspective, relative.
For, I'm told God has alway's had his 'hand' in bringing good governement's, changing them, even many examples of Old testament King's going thru metamorphic changes, smaller player's rising to the acme point of responsiblity, even great Emperor's, fell short, and had seizure's.
What can you do to-day.
We try to put in good practices that will stabilize, and 'balance, both our given-natural life, and the 'key spiritual life'.
I've done good thing's, before I get to this 6:-6:30AM, computer, but the minimum I'd suggest, as I then go. 'first item of interest, is going to my Daily Manna, [www.ibs.org] scripture verse. And BEHOLD, it often influence me, the 'whole day long', try it. For, it cam stimuli-your sensory percenptions, in an different, manner.
It won't happen all the time, but maybe so that particular - day - you have an special need, that God want's to influence you. What better way that to open your mind, and your early morning heart, before anything else comes your way. This alluded to daily scripture message, read by me, before my other email, then your, 'BLOG', in that order. Whatever came, comes second, third, whatever...is definitely not going to be received, near as innocently...for I know well, acceptable by faith, confidence, as this small spiritual practice. Mind you, you have to use the computer, each and every day's - start to have an reular value.
So, before I even got to, A.L.'s challenge of what can you do to-day for the Lord. Here, he was speaking to me pre-emptive on my computer, getting my 'total attention'.
This is no pitter-patter, more like an exercise of retailing word', meaning's, value, displaced to me, like one drawing special measure of liquid's, [water] from an from transfer, using an 'pipette'.
Monday's AM: Scripture reading, Albeit, Luke8:16-18Sounded, better with NIV translation, thanmy Good new's Bible, 'A Lamp under a Bowl'. For no one lights a lamp and covers it with a bowl, or puts itunder a bed. Instead, he put's it on the lampstand, so that people will see the 'light' as they come in. Note, - i.e.: - Whatever is hidden away will be brought forward out into the open, and whatever is covered up will be found and brought to light. Be careful, then, how you listen; because whoever has something will be given more, but whoever has nothing will have taken away from him, even the little he thinks he has.
I would not have brought that forward et al, except we are indeed into the Gospel Luke, this last Lenten week, which 'just flew by', with great possibilities, and some good spiritual experience gleemed, for me 'right thru the process', of this referred to---Passport to Easter, your, Lenten worthile Blog.
But, as I sort of missed this scripture reference, it seemed to relate to 'your challenge', and noble deference earlier as well, of the contrast, responsibilites, of Jesus, follower's, leader's. That was, really 'par excellent', of bringing Olivea's--pointedly viewpoint forward, thank you.
But, I also find it interesting, how we as 'reader's of scripture', have an 'natural tendency', to isolate valued item's in each of our reading's, that for some reason or another, has very definite 'appeal to us at that moment'. And for another, not even identified, notwithstanding even to-day; 44 verses, and much could be gone over, should remind, other's as well, that the sole application of scripture study, although very helpful, when done by [two or more], better bring's other thing's to the fore.
For even with an Lamp under a Bowl, referenced herein, has alway's been identified by me, , even to now, as encouragement to, 'Evangelize', and that's why I introduced it now, thru my timely, Daily Manna. it personal to all, forever, everyone has alway's had an lamp, and stand of sort's, and can relate to it. But, see now, it's related to equal importance, another diligent, 'link'.
So, to go out, and not be 'prepared', might even be perilous...for some, but Jesus dod administer us to go, he did, 'amongst us'. Awhile ago, the very lovely ministerial man, the Revered Harry Hilchie, passed away, his life, and Canadian church ministry, as mentioned in his obituitary, an very favourite saying, and objective to his life, was, "He Went Out Amongst Us". What an great epitaph that is, because I found, it, Him so.
Of course other's, I wouldn't want to offend anyone, for I see many helping many, many healing many, and all because, Jesus - taught, healed first, and by doing so, did indeed, first go out, among US.
I find, that so very encouraging, even amidst the admonishing, the difficulties, the timely politics. "For, they did not dare ask him any more questions".
On this day earlier or so, 3/15/08, an Saturday, as well being somewhat special, for my 'dear spouse', now of some 39 year's well-married, happy in each other's company, fellowship, joyful, relationship. Did, thankfully exchange, kisses, and card's, but I said, "gues there is nothing like an, 40 or 50, we shall, hopefully see.
But, in my evening daily walk thru, 'A Year With C.S.Lewis', book of daily reading's from his classic work's, did have this to say, to me to=day. This!
"ONCE BEGUN" *** This doctrine of a universal redemption spreading outwards from the redemption of man, having once entered Nature, should leave her, substantially unchanged. GOD, never undoes anything, but, 'evil', never does good to undo it again. The union between God and nature in the Person of Christ admits no divorce. He will not go out of Nature again, and she must be glorified in all ways, which this miraculos union demands. Ehen spring comes it 'leaves no corner of the land untouched'; even an pebble dropped in a pond sends circles to the margin. This is an excerp altho for me to-day, is from the CSL-book of/on Miracle, which I recommend for all.
I follow the [2] simple exercise's to begin, and end each day. And, in between sometime's do wake up, and pinch myself, to see if I'm 'still alive', and Thank God, again, and again for such small miracles, I can still feel, 'something'.
I have [5] or so mature 'burning bush', in an even more mature good eden garden, of, worked by my thoughtful hand. I see herein linked to-day, this Luke-Vs: 36, my year of birth, more essential - 'They will be like angels, and cannot die', what an marvelous joyful thought, to embrace, re-discover. To-day, as well!
Thank You Luke, I Hope we meet again!
+ k
HI: Excuse, some typing error's, frfom me eh! Will try harder/better next time. + k
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