Whose Image?

15 Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words. 16 They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are. 17 Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay the imperial tax[a] to Caesar or not?”

18 But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? 19 Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought him a denarius, 20 and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?”

21 “Caesar’s,” they replied.

Then he said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” ~Matthew 22:15-21 (NIV)



Though our hard-earned dollars might be taxed more and more, that money actually belongs to the government that created it--whether we like it or not.



But there is a greater and higher responsibility. Our dollars may bear the image of our government, but each of us bears the image of God (Genesis 1:6).



We chafe when people don't pay their fair share of taxes, but do we ever stop to consider if we're giving God what is rightfully His (AKA our lives)?



All that we have, all that we are, is because of Him. Let's give Him control of our lives in return, by offering up to Him the honor, praise, worship, and service He deserves.