Paying Taxes
Monday 19th week ordinary time
(Matthew 17:22-27)
In the time of Jesus, Jewish men throughout the world showed their loyalty to the temple in Jerusalem and helped to support its work by paying a temple tax of about two days' wages (A half shekel at this time was roughly equivalent to two days’ wages). The tax collectors wondered if Jesus was going to pay the tax, perhaps because they were aware of his critique of the temple, or maybe because they knew he had no steady source of income.
(At least) there are two points we can learn. First, Jesus agreed to pay the tax, not out of some obligation, but in order not to offend his fellow Jews unnecessarily. (Surely he had offended them plenty in matters of the kingdom of God.) As children of God, Jesus and his followers did not have to pay a tax to their Heavenly Father, but they chose to do so in order to foster good relationships with other Jews.
Sometimes Christians are needlessly offensive in their desire to honor God. The example of Jesus and the temple tax reminds us that we need to be both faithful to the Lord and respectful to those around us. Though sometimes we cannot help but offend people with our beliefs, we should never do it needlessly. There is no point erecting barrier so that others are kept away from the Lord.
Second, this passage seems to reflect a dilemma of the early Church. A double dilemma. Should Christians who are Jews continue to pay the Temple tax? Should Christians in general have to pay tax to a pagan government, especially one whose emperor claims to be a deity?
The first dilemma solved itself in time, especially with the destruction of the Temple (which had already taken place when Matthew was written). The second dilemma took longer. The problem seems to have been solved by the principle laid down elsewhere by Jesus: Give to the emperor what belongs to the emperor and to God what belongs to God.
We too have to discern what is legitimately required of us by our governments and make our contribution to the needs of our society while at the same time not compromising on issues where universal principles of truth and justice are at stake. Civil disobedience is sometimes not only a right but also a responsibility.
(Matthew 17:22-27)
In the time of Jesus, Jewish men throughout the world showed their loyalty to the temple in Jerusalem and helped to support its work by paying a temple tax of about two days' wages (A half shekel at this time was roughly equivalent to two days’ wages). The tax collectors wondered if Jesus was going to pay the tax, perhaps because they were aware of his critique of the temple, or maybe because they knew he had no steady source of income.
(At least) there are two points we can learn. First, Jesus agreed to pay the tax, not out of some obligation, but in order not to offend his fellow Jews unnecessarily. (Surely he had offended them plenty in matters of the kingdom of God.) As children of God, Jesus and his followers did not have to pay a tax to their Heavenly Father, but they chose to do so in order to foster good relationships with other Jews.
Sometimes Christians are needlessly offensive in their desire to honor God. The example of Jesus and the temple tax reminds us that we need to be both faithful to the Lord and respectful to those around us. Though sometimes we cannot help but offend people with our beliefs, we should never do it needlessly. There is no point erecting barrier so that others are kept away from the Lord.
Second, this passage seems to reflect a dilemma of the early Church. A double dilemma. Should Christians who are Jews continue to pay the Temple tax? Should Christians in general have to pay tax to a pagan government, especially one whose emperor claims to be a deity?
The first dilemma solved itself in time, especially with the destruction of the Temple (which had already taken place when Matthew was written). The second dilemma took longer. The problem seems to have been solved by the principle laid down elsewhere by Jesus: Give to the emperor what belongs to the emperor and to God what belongs to God.
We too have to discern what is legitimately required of us by our governments and make our contribution to the needs of our society while at the same time not compromising on issues where universal principles of truth and justice are at stake. Civil disobedience is sometimes not only a right but also a responsibility.
