Jesus is asked a difficult question: “Is it lawful to pay the tax to Caesar or not?”
They were trying to trap Him. But instead of entering into an argument, Jesus asked them to show Him a coin.
Then He asked: “Whose image is this?”
They answered, “Caesar’s.”
And Jesus said those famous words: “Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and to God what belongs to God.”
We have heard these words many times. But there is something very beautiful hidden in that little word: image.
The coin carried the image of Caesar. But you and I carry the image of God.
The Book of Genesis tells us that we were created in the image and likeness of God.
And perhaps that is the question Jesus is asking us today: If the coin belongs to Caesar because it bears Caesar’s image, then to whom do you belong?
We belong to God.
Sometimes we forget this. We begin to think that our life belongs to us. My time. My money. My plans. My career. My future. My body. My decisions.
But everything we have is ultimately a gift. Our life is a gift. Our family is a gift.
Our talents are gifts. Even the time we have today is a gift.
And one day, everything will have to be returned to God.
So perhaps the question is not simply, “How much should I give to God?”
The better question is: “How much of my life belongs to God?”
And the answer is: Everything.
Not only Sunday morning. Not only the few minutes when we pray. God also belongs in our homes, our workplaces, our relationships, our decisions, and even in the way we use our money and exercise our responsibilities as citizens.
And this is also why we must be careful about giving to the world what belongs only to God.
Money is important, but it cannot become our god. Politics has its place, but no political leader deserves our absolute loyalty. Success is good, but it cannot define our worth.
Only God deserves our whole heart.
My dear brothers and sisters, perhaps today we can make one simple prayer: “Lord, my life came from You. My life belongs to You. Help me to live it for You.”
The coin bears Caesar’s image. But you bear God’s image.
Never forget whose image you carry.
And never forget to whom you belong.