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• Trump is a very divisive leader. People either love or hate. But he’s the leader of the USA and legally, the US Government is entitled to extract taxes from the populace.
• Some people would refuse to pay based on moral grounds, but you cant- Got to give what he wants
• Mark 12:13-17 Give Trump What He Wants
• Jesus again is trying to be tangled into a weave of words to hurt him
• Jesus knew what was in their hearts “knowing their hypocrisy” these guys probably weren’t paying taxes or temple taxes
• Jesus uses the denarius to make a point- the inscription on it is caesars, so it belongs to Caesar.
• So he tells them- give to the governor what belongs to the governor and to God what belongs to god

Here’s few overarching things that should frame our thoughts

1. Render unto Caesar what is Caesars and render unto God what is God’s is the crux of this verse-

• In THIS scripture- Jesus is making the point, that Caesars face is on the coin- so it belongs to him- His IMAGE is on it- so HE owns it.
• Why is it difficult to give something back to the person who’s image is on it?
• Ever loaned someone something and then felt uncomfortable asking if you could have it back?
• Why would we feel that way? Its ours! Bring me back MY tool. MY car. MY whatever. Its MINE
• Its like when my kids are in school and I have to jump through hoops to get them- THEY ARE MINE
• Would you agree that if someone owns something, that they have the rights to it? No one would disagree with this!- So, if someone owns it- they have the right to decide where it goes? AGREE
• So Jesus says “render unto caesar what is caesars” and basically says- It already belongs to him, you’re just giving him what is his. Don’t lose any sleep over it- Give it back to him.
• BUT IT TAXES- AND TAXES ARE UNJUST…RIGHT?

1. Taxes were in the OT and instituted by God.

• The nation of Israel paid 10% on a temple tax. They were required to give up their first fruits, leave crops on the ground for the poor, Sometimes a whole years crop was given to God. Animals etc.
• “An excise tax on articles consumed was called “belo” in Hebrew, and a road toll or customs tax was termed “halakh.” In Ezra 4:20, these indirect taxes are termed “tribute” and “duty” respectively in the modern English version. Other words used in various places in the Old Testament were “mas” (forced labor) [I Kings 5:13; v. 27, Hebrew text], “massa” (burden) [II Chronicles 17:11], “mekhes” (measure) [Numbers 31:25-31], and “middah” (tribute) [Ezra 4:20]. These numerous terms were perhaps necessary because the Hebrew language had no general word corresponding to the English word “tax” [Orr, 1956, p. 2918].

1. Everyone pays taxes.

• Jesus paid taxes Matthew 17:24-27 he sent peter to pull a fish with a coin in his mouth

1. We are supposed to submit to government

• Romans 13:1 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.
• 1 Peter 2:13-16 Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, 14 or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men— 16 as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God.

1. Sometimes you go against the Government

• Daniel is a great example of a man who lived and worked in a pagan government
• He did was was required of him. Was a good servant. Did what was asked of him
• But when it came to NOT worshipping God- he didn’t follow. He rebelled. He WORSHIPPED
• Daniel 6:10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.
• Rebelling against Government is expected if they are asking you to NOT worship GOD

1. BUT We are supposed to pay taxes

• Romans 13:6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. 7 Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.
• Here’s the deal tho- What the government does with the money after they take is on THEM. You’re not signing off on what they do. You’re honoring God- God knows who’s doing what
• Abortion, wars, sexual immorality, misappropriation of funds. You’re not agreeing. You’re HONORING GOD. Remember- You don’t own it. Currency belongs to the issuer. They can TAKE

The real question: Who owns the wealth that YOU have and what do you do with it?

1. 1. The person who’s image is on it

• You agreed- if someone’s image is on something- they have every right to demand what happens with it
• 1 Corinthians 11:7 For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man.
• Genesis 1:26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness;
• You were made in the image of God- God’s image is on you, that means God OWNS you.
• He owns everything about you. Every last part of you. All of your EVERYTHING
• 1 cor 6: 19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.
• Romans 8:9 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.
• The people who have the biggest problems with money are people who have misguided understanding of who owns it all. Currency belongs to Govt. But EVERYTHING belongs to GOD

2.You don’t own anything

• You don’t own anything- If we don’t learn it by life experiences, there is something we should learn from every funeral. You don’t “own” anything because you don’t take it with you
• Solomon, the wisest man ever, said,
• Ecclesiastes 5:15 As he came from his mother’s womb, naked shall he return, To go as he came; And he shall take nothing from his labor Which he may carry away in his hand.
• 1 Tim 6:7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain[a] we can carry nothing out.
• Job, at his lowest point worshipfully agreed, saying,
• Job 1:21 And he said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord.”

2.The Federal Reserve owns the currency

• You don’t even own your money. It’s a Federal Reserve Note. The federal reserve isn’t even a government entity. Its as Federal as Federal Express.
• At any time, the Fed can seize its asset, because it owns it. Its their instrument.
• doesn’t even have any value. Not backed by gold since the early 1900s.
• The truth is, you don’t own anything. Not your car, your house, your stuff. The government can come and seize it at anytime without due process. They do it often.
• Don’t pay taxes? Lose house. No tabs. Lose car. Kicked out of house for no services

3.God owns it all- Everything.

• God owns everything in the world
• Everything in the world. Because God created the world
• Deuteronomy 10:14 Indeed heaven and the highest heavens belong to the Lord your God, also the earth with all that is in it.
• Psalm 89:11 The heavens are Yours, the earth also is Yours; The world and all its fullness, You have founded them.
• Psalm 24:1 The earth isthe Lord’s, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein.
• 1 Corinthians 10:26 for “the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.”
• Job 41:11 Who has preceded Me, that I should pay him? Everything under heaven is Mine.
• Haggai 2:8 ‘The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine,’ says the Lord of hosts.

1. Since God owns it all and owns you. What’s the response?
2. Give him your life

• Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
• EPH 2:1-7 ⁵ even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ
• I think many people don’t understand that they were living under the wrath of God- they don’t understand their sin and understand they were deserving of death
• Once you understand what you’ve been saved from- you don’t argue with God
• Its funny, typically the people who argue about amounts and frequencies in my experience are the ones who aren’t fully submitted
• They are the same people who keep score in a marriage. Who spent how much and how much do I get? I ask if I can spend money! Crystal runs it!
• Giving God your life back when you understand he’s the one who gave you life is easy
• Pastor Jay- bruh. Down since day one. If he wanted something of me? You got it. How not?

1. Be a steward over what has been entrusted in you

• Deuteronomy 8:17-18 17 then you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth.’ “And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.
• If God has given you the ability to gain wealth, if you are made in his image, how can you not be a good steward of what he’s given you?
• “Render unto God what is Gods” GIVE to GOD what is GODs
• This is kind of a tithing sermon, but not really. Tithing is easy. Tithing is just giving GOD 10%. Off the top, from the Gross. Its Biblical. Its of God. Its how its been for thousands of years
• The people that argue with you about the 10% will never understand the 90%
• Because the 10 is easy- but that’s just the FIRST. God doesn’t want 10. He wants 100.
• The ten Just starts the process. The rest of it is under his control as well. Remember- he owns it ALL- He owns the currency because its in his world, but he owns YOU because you’re in his image and in his WORLD
• You can’t take anything with you- You can’t amass anything. The movement of wealth in and out of your hand is just the means by which God breaks you of the love of money and prepares you for eternity
• Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.
• Being a good steward means giving God the 10% in the Tithe and then stewarding the rest.
• We give 15% but we still give even MORE than that as God leads. To individuals and causes
• But a faith that hasn’t reached your wallet probably hasn’t taken over your whole heart

1. Pay taxes!

• Now, if you don’t owe any taxes, don’t pay them! You don’t have to!
• But there is nothing wrong with living within the confines of the law. If its lawful, take advantage of it in regards to your taxes. If they wanted it easier, they could pass a flat tax and be done with it
• Get a good registered agent. Jan takes great care of me. I pay what I owe, but I don’t pay a dollar more than I should. Money well spent. Call her if you don’t have  tax person
• But tax evasion will get you in prison

1. Live generously

• Psalm 37:21 The wicked borrows and does not repay, But the righteous shows mercy and gives.
• Its always curious to me when you have to convince people to serve and give as Christians
• If you’d fall in love with Jesus you’d never have to be convinced of anything. You’d just agree with what was being preached
• Live a generous life!
• For those of you who are generous with your time and money, I want you to know that what you do matters here. Your generosity does stuff
• You have fulltime staff, ministries, people getting saved. Its because of YOU
• Proverbs 11:24 There is onewho scatters, yet increases more; And there is one who withholds more than is right, But it leads to poverty.