July 26
Mark 12:13-17
I'm sorry to tell you that Sarah is at home with no power and therefore unable to post the study today. I have already messed this up a bit, but will try to post for you the principle and applications.
Jane
Principle: One has a duty to the state and to God; material wealth belongs to the state and one's life belongs to God.
Application Questions:
1. What do I owe to my government and what do I owe to God?
2. Am I careful to pay my taxes honestly and give my mind, soul, and body to God joyfully?
3. How will I demonstrate God's poise by speaking the truth without seeking to please or injure anyone?
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I love that Jesus was a teacher and a good one at that! Many people have opinions on good teaching today; I've got books and books on those opinions, but I love that Jesus can still be my example! He used a visual aid. He focused on an issue to be learned, and he wasn't flustered by his students questions. Those who asked the questions didn't really want to be students; they wanted control, but in the end, even they were amazed!
ReplyDeleteIn my life, I hope I can be a teacher who helps even the unwilling learn. That's what I need to do for my state and for my God. I teach by profession, but I also teach by providence.
This week at VBS I was reminded of a dream that I have had but had pretty much abandoned. I want to teach youth about Jesus. Right now, I teach at a public school, and I want my students to learn all they can so that they can be successful at life on earth, but I also want to use my love and talent for teaching to help my students and others in a different venue understand the love of Jesus. I give my talent to my state, but I also give it to my God.
Question#2... Am I careful to pay my taxes honestly and give my mind, soul, and body to God joyfully?
ReplyDeleteThe honesty part is not the problem, it’s the giving of my entire being to God JOYFULLY. I sometimes require an attitude adjustment and just need to be obedient with Joy. Service with a frown cannot be pleasing to God.
A larger principle at work in this passage is the issue of meeting my obligations to everyone. I don't think Jesus intends to convey that our religious and civil duties are separate: I think he is saying that serving God includes being good citizen. In Ephesians 5 Paul talks about our duties as husbands, wives, children, and servants. Those who were trying to trap Jesus believed that to pay taxes was a violation of loyalty to God. The truth is that being loyal to God means doing what is right in every arena of life.
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