“And Jesus said to them, ‘Whose likeness and inscription is this?’ They said, ‘Caesar’s.’ Then he said to them, ‘Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.’” – Matthew 22:20-21

While this is a fascinating lesson on paying taxes, there’s a much deeper question raised by Jesus’ teaching. What things are God’s? What are we supposed to give to Him?

The coin was due to Caesar because it carried Caesar’s image and inscription. What carries the image and inscription of God? We do! We are each uniquely made in God’s image and His inscription is written into our very DNA. What then are we to give God? Ourselves! What portion of ourselves? ALL of ourselves.

Probably the greatest issue that prevents Christians from growing and fully experiencing God’s pleasure is that we refuse to give ALL of ourselves. Too often we want to budget a certain portion of our time, energy, and resources to God as if He were one of several good and worthy causes.

That isn’t what He asks for and it isn’t what He rewards. He invites and commands us to give ALL of ourselves. To fully commit every aspect of our life to Him – work and leisure, church and family, mind and body, wealth and talents. He’s clear about the rewards of such faithfulness: the experience of His joy, the joy of following Jesus to the cross, increasing Christlikeness, and rewards in eternity.

What’s holding you back from fully committing ALL of yourself to God? Are you willing to try fully giving to God what belongs to Him for a season? You won’t regret it!

“And he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’” – Matthew 22:12-13

God is throwing an incredible party and everyone’s invited. However, you must dress appropriately!!! What do you need to wear to God’s party? What should you buy or what should you make? Nothing! There’s no outfit you can buy, make, earn, or improve to make yourself worthy to attend God’s party. God’s party is only for those who are perfect and none of us are!

However, God will freely provide everything you need to wear, if you’ll simply ask in faith. The only clothes that will get you into this party are clothes washed in the blood of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God. We have each sinned and fallen short of God’s glory, making ourselves utterly unworthy to be at God’s party. However, Jesus, the Son of God, lived the life of sinless perfection we can’t and died on the cross as a sacrifice sufficient to pay the penalty for our sins. Through His death and resurrection, He offers forgiveness and eternal life to all who commit their life in faith to Him.

When you believe in Jesus, you are washed clean of all sin, shame, and guilt. It is Christ’s blood that covers your sin and His presence in everyone who believes in Him that makes you worthy to attend God’s party. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

“Toward the scorners he is scornful,
but to the humble he gives favor.”
– Proverbs 3:34

Humility is no more popular today than it was thousands of years ago. The Romans considered it weakness and it would seem that many today agree, both Christians and non-Christians alike. Humility has never been popular with political leaders and far too many religious leaders have been unfamiliar with it throughout the ages. And yet…

It’s the humble that God favors. It’s those aware of their own weaknesses, defects, limitations, and propensity for sin He blesses. It’s those aware that they need a Savior who find one in Jesus Christ. It’s those who realize they’re incapable of doing great things who open themselves for God to do great things through them by the power of His Spirit. It’s those who recognize their deep-seated temptations who finish the race in Spirit-filled purity.

For those Christians whose pride is easily wounded, who cannot stand to show weakness, or who rise quickly to their own defense, consider the Jesus we’re commanded to follow. Though He was the eternal Son of God, Jesus submitted to arrest, humiliation, abuse, injustice, torture, and brutal execution. The way of the cross is the way of humiliation. It was Christ’s humility in going to the cross that defeated Satan.

As followers of Jesus, it won’t be our pride or our strength that reaches those who don’t know Christ. It will be our Christ-like humility.

“I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me; hear my words.” – Psalm 17:6

It’s a truly marvelous thing that God is personal and relational. The Creator of the Universe certainly isn’t required to listen to our prayers, invite us into a relationship with Him, or reconcile us to Him through the sacrifice of His own Son. But He does!

The Almighty Creator of galaxies, stars, and planets, and the Author of life actually knows every detail of our lives and cares deeply. He cares deeply for you personally and for what’s best for you. He is merciful, gracious, patient, faithful, loving, and kind. He extends the offer of friendship and adoption to everyone who will put their faith in Jesus. And He listens.

It’s easy to forget what extraordinary privileges and incredible status we enjoy as those adopted and befriended by God through Christ. We live in a fallen world in which it can be hard to even get the people we live with to put down their phone and actually hear our words, yet God in Heaven hears our words and answers our prayers! With God, we are never alone, never forgotten, never unloved. To Him, we can pour out the fears, anxieties, frustrations, joys, triumphs, and praises that fill our hearts and flood our minds. And He listens! He listens!!! Thank you Lord, for truly hearing us!

“Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” – Matthew 19:24

As residents of a wealthy part of a wealthy nation in the wealthiest time in human history, we can’t flinch or look the other way at what Jesus says here. We must understand and apply it to our lives. What does Jesus mean? Is money bad? Does having money make a person bad? How can this teaching possibly make sense in light of salvation by grace? How can our bank balance interfere with God’s grace?

It can’t, of course. God’s grace received through faith in Jesus Christ overcomes all sin and every obstacle to accomplish salvation. However, in practical terms, having or deeply desiring material abundance can hurt our faith. When we enjoy great financial blessings, we can forget our deep need for God. We easily begin to fool ourselves into thinking we can take care of ourselves, provide for ourselves, and purchase everything needed to be complete, fulfilled, and happy. This is a lie! Whether large or small, our net worth can deceive us about our spiritual situation.

This is what makes it so hard for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God (of course, it’s hard for all of us, because we can’t ever get there on our own). Because our money can’t save us and neither can our generosity in giving it away. Our material comfort can’t save us, but it easily numbs us to the truth that we desperately need salvation. As the Bible warns so often, money can have a powerful spiritual impact on us. We can fall in love with it, be tempted to pursue it in ungodly ways, become anxious about losing it, become selfish about keeping it, forget Who truly gave it to us, and find strength in it rather than in Christ. Money is a blessing from God that can do wonderful things for His Kingdom. It can also be a powerful temptation used by Satan to undermine our spiritual condition.

As followers of Christ, whether we have much or have little financially, we must always remember where our blessings come from and what can truly and eternally rescue us from the brokenness around us and in our own lives. The US dollar won’t save us, but the Son of Man will. Trust in Him!