In Matt 22:15-22, the Pharisees set out to trap Jesus again. “Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” If he said “do not pay taxes to Caesar”, then they could report that he did not abide by Roman law. If he said “pay taxes to Caesar,” then he would be labeled as Roman sympathizer which would then put him at odds with the Jews because they hated the Romans. Caesar had declared himself a god and the coin with his image would be a form of idolatry. Jesus advises to give to Caesar taxes in Roman money, and give to God the required amount in temple money. Again Jesus kept focused on the real issue of giving appropriate tribute. Jesus is all about giving glory to God in appropriate ways and respect to civil authority in appropriate ways. He was able to rightly separate civil from religious.

In today’s world, the money used to pay our tithes and taxes are the same currency. We are to pay the taxes and the tithes. Taxes are computed according to a formula established by the government under which we live and are beneficiaries of its services—roads, sewage, water, electricity, bridges, storm drains, etc. If the citizens did not pay the taxes we would all suffer.

Tithes are God’s formula of giving 10% of your gross income into his house for the work of the church. We are beneficiaries of this work in our churches too—pastoral care, education, child care and the like. Unless we, the church, contribute to the work of the church, its mission cannot be accomplished. Where people get the idea that the church gets money from thin air to provide services, I do not know? It might be a misinterpretation that we only need bring praise into His house. Because the church is “in” the world, it must pay salaries of those who provide “free services”—pastors, janitors, secretaries, bookkeepers, musicians. The local church must also pay the electricity, water, heating, communications, and grounds maintenance bills.

The Lord says “Bring in the tithe that there will be meat in my house.” The Lord was realistic about the cost of operating a church and we need to pay attention. He never said, “You don’t have to give any money.” He said he will meet the needs and that is through us so we need to do our part. What is your part today?