Whose Picture?

Mathew 22:15-22

Why is April 15 important in our lives?

This is the date when the Titanic was sunk.

This is the date when Lincoln was shot.

I am learning that this the last day when you should submit your tax paper to the IRS.

Someone said “You may not agree with every department of the government, but you really have to hand it to IRS.”

Another said,” Death and taxes may always be with us, but at least death doesn’t get any worse.”

In some countries of the Middle East, unfortunately, you cannot do paperwork in governmental offices without bribing. A friend of mine, who is a Christian and does not believe in bribing, was forced to finish an ordinary legal paper by bribing the officer. He asked me what to write in the accounts about this amount. We called it “social Tax”. (Helping the government payroll).

As we started our topic with the Armenian sermon about Jesus and the cleaver students of the Pharisees and the Herodians, Jesus said an important statement: “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”

1- In reality, Most of us do not have a problem in giving Caesar’s portion. In fact, we do not have the choice.

There was a trial of the son of a Congressman. The son was charged with tax evasion. The judge sent the son to jail. He said, “Our tax system depends upon voluntary compliance. Therefore, we must send a signal to other tax cheaters.”

It seems when the tax was becoming official in the USA, the legislators thought that people should understand that without tax nothing can move. So people should approach with a voluntary spirit while giving their taxes. We learned that whatever Caesar wants, we have no problem giving. We complain, but we give.

2- But for many, GIVING TO GOD is our GREATEST SPIRITUAL problem.

Once I was talking with Dr. Bilezikian, the founder of Willowcreek Community Church in Illinois, about church dynamics. While he was a professor in at the University, a student challenged him saying many do not go to church because church asks for money. “Whatever you teach us about church in the class room is not a reality”, the student said.

This became a challenge to Dr. Bilezikian. So he and some of the students founded a church that will not ask for money. They did succeed. Why?

Because the attendance learned that whatever is God’s should go to God.

They learned that giving is their personal duty not forced by the church. No, it is voluntary, given willingly, out of love for God.

* I see that we plan the annual bazaar at our church. It is a great idea to have one and I will support as the pastor of the church by providing live music. I see the bazaar as an opportunity for evangelism and a way to bring people to the church family. I also heard it is a way to bring income.

It is wonderful, but we should now not rely on activities which generate income. Sources of income, such as endowment funds, might put us in position of not thinking about giving any more to God. It is our day to day, month to month, or year to year pledges that matter in the Church. Those gifts which come from your heart as gratitude to all the Lord has done.

* A young boy was given by his parents two quarters: one for church and one for ice cream. While he was walking to church he lost one of the quarters. When he realized he does not have one of the quarters, he looked to God and said: “Well, God, I guess there goes your quarter.” Why do we have a problem in giving to God the part that belongs to God?

There is something seductive about money. The more we have, it is harder to give. Jesus warned us: “You can not worship God and Mammon…”

Jesus spoke more about money than anything else. He realized how important the issue is in our life. You want to understand someone. Open his or her check book, and read the journal and see where the money is spent. Jesus is not against money. He is cautious of our understanding of the money. Money worship is our biggest idol today in the world, specially in the Bay Area.

With love and humility we should learn to give to God what belongs to GOD.

3- This saying : “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s..” is misused. Many are happy that Jesus said this. They use it to escape from duties and responsibilities. They think Jesus did separate State and Religion. Therefore, they find freedom to misuse their money.

“I can cheat with ‘Caesar’”.

“I will be careful with God”.

They did separate their life completely. God is not in their business life.

Some say that Jesus indeed separated the state and church. For centuries Christian scholars are arguing about this, and probably we can not solve it today. And of course there are positive things in separation. Also there are dangerous things in strict separation.

There are others also say that this is not separation at all. It is a call to reevaluation of the meaning of life itself. This brings an important question.

4- If “Caesar” wants his tax, give it to him. His face is on it. But what is God’s. Where is God’s picture?

BUT WHAT IS GOD’S?

This separation is not fifty-fifty proportion. No way.

God is more than Caesar. God is more than government.

If our US dollar has the face of Lincoln, George Washington, Hamilton, Jackson and other presidents, fine, give it to them,

But YOU bear God’s image. GIVE yourself to GOD, because you belong to God. No argument.

We need to pledge ourselves to God, and it means pledge everything to God.

*Someone once said to the pastor Eugene Grimm that there is no “pledge” word in the Bible. Why should someone pledge to the church?

The pastor said: “Pledge in the Bible has been used with different words such as: “Commit, Promise, dedicate, covenant, vow..” These are familiar biblical words.” Then this pastor said: “Christian stewardship is merely a reflection of our spiritual commitment to Christ. Stewardship is, first of all, our response to God.” The man’s attitude about pledging was changed.

Some think they can pledge when they have good income. But this is a myth. How can one decide that the income is good? Is one million good income? What is good income?

You see it is relative. God is not looking just for GOOD INCOME. God is interested to see that HIS Picture in us is reflecting his image. His picture means being dedicated to GOD in all aspects, financial, talent, teaching, serving, …

You are created in His IMAGE. GIVE IT BACK TO HIM. Do it as seriously as to the IRS. If you are so serious about IRS, God is bigger than IRS. IRS belongs to GOD. Therefore in my opinion, Jesus is not separating, but in one word saying you all BELONG TO GOD. Caesar belongs to God. Act cautiously with the Emperor and with God.

*Luciano Pavarotti was confused. Shall I become a teacher or tenor singer?

His father told him “Luciano, if you try to sit on two chairs, you will fall between them. For life, you must choose one chair”.

He did. It took him seven years of studying before his first professional appearance. It took another seven years to reach to NY Metropolitan opera.

He chose one CHAIR.

We live in the world. We are citizens of some nation, in this case the USA. Jesus is asking us to be loyal to our state and give back whatever needs to be done. BUT, we also are citizens of the Kingdom of God. We should be loyal to God by dedicating ourselves to him. Do not postpone your pledges to GOD. If you are serious with the state, you should be serious with God as well. Therefore ask yourself. Am I reflecting God’s IMAGE in MY LIFE?

All to Jesus I Surrender
All to Him I freely give
I will ever love and trust Him
In His presence daily live

I am Thine, O Lord, I have heard thy voice,

And it told Thy love to me;

But I long to rise in the arms of faith,

And be closer drawn to Thee.