In Mark 12, some hypocritical leaders were trying to trap Jesus with a question about paying taxes to Caesar.

It was a clever trap. Caesar (the Roman emperor) was a man named Tiberias. He was not very popular, could be very cruel, and levied heavy taxes on the people. The Jews felt like they weren’t fully free in their own land.

But Jesus outwitted them: “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (verse 17, ESV). 

How do Christians apply this today? After all, we don’t live under the Roman imperial system. Should we pay our taxes? Should we pray for and respect our political leaders even when we disagree? I think there is clear biblical justification for these practices.

But we can also apply this principle more broadly.

To do this let’s put a blank where the name Caesar is. This helps us remember to keep God first and to keep other things in proportion: “Render to _____ the things that are _____’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

Do we let work take over? No. Render to the workplace the things that belong to the workplace, but to God the things that are God’s.

What about sports? Render to the arena (or soccer field or dance studio) the things that belong there, but to God the things that are God’s.

What about the family? Yes, that’s very important. But it shouldn’t become an idol. Render to the family the things that belong to the family, but to God the things that are God’s.

It’s easy to let God slip from the top of the list. When that happens things get worse, not better. 

Let’s be careful not to turn good things into idols. Let’s enjoy them for what they are, but ensure we are putting God first. He is the fount from whom all blessings flow!

Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, but to God the things that are God’s.