Are Taxes All That Certain?

preached in response to Matthew 22: 15-22
Baileyton UMC, Sunday, October 21, 2008


“nothing is certain in this life but death and taxes” B-Frank

this quote, by B-Frank, certainly seems to be true. The former I have not experienced personally though I figure its coming. I’ve seen it. I've been touched by death. Though I havent actually died, per se'.

The latter however, I have been weighted down with for many years, and strangely enough more and more and more since I have been in ministry. It was primarily a misunderstanding that snowballed and snowballed and well, snowballed some more…

Strange. The more I try to give of my life to God, the more I seem to have to render to the emperor. Now, W is not the emperor. Neither will Obama, or McCain, be the emperor (despite what Rick and Bubba say)

Our emperor is in part the government—our great government, the greatest in the history of the world—so far—is our emperor. And while this emperor is certainly capable of ruling the world with the sword (it has a lot), this emperor rules us with something far more dangerous—the greatest weapon our emperor has at its disposal, is money…wealth…coins…possessions…and all their roots…greed.

I’d rather have to face a sword! I’d prefer a straight up fight for freedom, over influence, persuasion, addiction.

The topic of taxes is a hot, hot, button issue. Just ask Joe the Plumber!

We have two presidential candidates that swear they have the best plan to manage our taxes, which makes them like every other presidential candidate there’s every been.

“read my lips!”


you know this [gospel] passage, I imagine. Hearing this version may have been a bit strange, though its good to hear it accurately. Not only was the version I read easier to understand and more correct. It is far more practical.

Jesus didn’t say “Caesar”, though even if he did. It doesn’t mean Julius (for he was dead when Jesus had this little economics lecture) It doesn’t mean Augustus (the nephew). It means any Roman, or Persian, or American or spiritual emperor.

And any of these emperors have some power to wield. We need a way to survive them.

You have probably figured this passage out—like I have. Though you may now get a new, fresh, different, and more true understanding of this passage…as I have.

I have heard this rule—the ‘render unto Caesar’ rule—as a justification for yes, being taxed to death, obeying all 177 ,983 laws—stupid as most of them are—on the federal state county and city books,

I have even heard this as a justification for patriotism (which is often a code word for nationalism). I have even heard this somehow to be a justification for war…

What does it say? Jesus, what does this mean?


Though Jesus was the farthest thing from it, he would have made an incredible politician—at least in this instance.


He gives the perfect political answer. He says something, though seemingly doesn’t say anything. He very nearly answers the question with a question.

Politics v religion

This is a dangerous , delicate time in our world, and particularly in our country
according to Thomas Friedman—a writer, social commentator, NY Times editorial writer, and all around sharp thinker. he indicated on the irreverent argue fest, Real Time with Bill Marhe, it is one of the most desperate times for us. I agree. a whole lot.

As much as anytime in history, the world needs a Christ-like world view (most of the world would dispute that, though only because so many believers have misrepresented Jesus to the world

There is an intersection between religion and politics, between faith and government, a better way to say it, between the earthly and the divine…

And we must learn to negotiate it—and it is terribly difficult. Jesus would be a perfect politician, though he was too good a person to do it—he was perfect, the world is not.

That’s why it is our call. We are in the house of representatives—the house of faith, the KOG.


Only One Top Priority

I have heard it argued from both pulpit and pew that Jesus' words "Give to
the emperor the things that are the emperor's" mean that a Christian is
duty-bound to love America, right or wrong. I'm sorry, but I cannot agree
with that. One Christian writer has said, "The greatest service Christians
can render to their country is to become actively concerned about the
destiny of the church."

I have also heard it argued that "Give to the emperor the things that are
the emperor's, and to God the things that are God's" implies a strict
separation of church and state, that Jesus is dividing life into two
separate and distinct parts - a spiritual part and a secular, or worldly,
part. Dedicated and committed Christians have been arguing for this
separation for centuries, and we probably won't settle the issue once and
for all today. Their argument has been that with these words Jesus is
telling us to obey God in the spiritual realm and to obey the government
in everything else. Now, that's a nice, neat little division, and it
solves many difficult problems. Politics is politics and religion is
religion and never the twain shall meet. Let the church take care of its
own business and keep their noses out of social and political issues. That
would be fine if it worked. You and I both know that it doesn't. Yes,
there are obligations we have to the governing authorities, such as paying
taxes, exercising our right to vote, and obeying civil laws. But as
followers of Jesus Christ, our ultimate obligation is to "seek first the
kingdom of God," and all other obligations have to have a lower priority.
There can only be one top priority.

Johnny Dean, Another Tricky Question


USMC—“your soul belongs to Jesus, though you’re a$% belongs to the Corps!”
We have a split personality of sorts, we live on Earth, and belong to Heaven. we have dual citizenship.
(which puts a new spin on immigration, doesn’t it?)

Separation of church and state
We have to keep the two separated, and at the same time, we have to make them work together.

We live in one world, and we represent another. (the word, or name, minister means you represent something)
The world is looking at us, though often today to see what we do in order that they may do the opposite.

We have a responsibility to bring in the Kingdom, the New Creation to the world.


ponder these presidential words...

What We the People Demand

President James Garfield's words from 1877 still ring true. "Now more than
ever before, the people are responsible for the character of their
Congress. If that body be ignorant, reckless, and corrupt, it is because
the people tolerate ignorance, recklessness, and corruption. If it be
intelligent, brave, and pure, it is because the people demand these high
qualities to represent them in the national legislature ... if the next
centennial does not find us a great nation ... it will be because those
who represent the enterprise, the culture, and the morality of the nation
do not aid in controlling the political forces."

Stephen M. Crotts / George L. Murphy / Stan Purdum, Sermons for Sundays:
After Pentecost (Last Third): Rendering to God, CSS Publishing Company,
Inc.


We are citizens of the empire, many empires actually. The system we have to work in, is where we are. If you want something different, go discover a planet, find a way to get there, and have at it.

We do Look to a new day, a future with no need for taxes, no need for militaries, no need for politicians, no need for Separation of church and state. A future with no hunger, hurt, or hatred. A future where we live and work and love together. A future where every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. God’s perfect future—God’s future perfect.

We’ll get there—I believe it, that’s why I’m here. And I believe that you believe it—that’s why you’re here. Though its not here yet—we have to help it get here. Do what it takes, give all we can, love more than that.

Did Jesus comply with the empire? Did he stand in opposition, and create a new world, a new way of seeing the world, a new way of life for all people.

Did he start a revolution? Yes? Was a single shot fired, sword raised? No.
Was he peaceful? Yes? Was he passive? No!

He was not the Messiah they wanted! He was revolutionary, though not military. He was for the people, but not political. And they killed him for that.

Its dangerous.



Do you give to Caesar? For the most part, yes. For now... Amen.