April 15th is a long way off…Thank God, I mean who among us is ready for another tax season and filing?
Were you aware that the Titanic sunk on April 15th? Were you aware that Abraham Lincoln was shot on April 15th?
I tell you – it is not a very good day. I am always one of the “last guys to file…”
The fact remains that it all came about as a part of The Revenue Act of 1861 to help fund or finance the Civil War…
They talked about them “revenuers” up there or over there in Washington…
For the record, they are still there.
Originally taxes were due on different days dependent on the kind of taxes you were paying.
Then, the date was ultimately set for March 1st in 1913.
It didn’t last long…by 1918 after World War I – they changed the date to March 15th.
It was there for a while… In 1955 the date that taxes were due – was “officially changed” to April 15th…and it has been that way – ever since…
That is, unless April 15th falls on a Friday, Saturday or a Sunday…then, we are given some extra time…because of the celebration of Emancipation Day in Washington DC…
Just a little bit of trivia – that you may – not have known before…
The American Radio and Television Broadcaster and Entertainer – Arthur Godfrey of another era is quoted as saying, “I feel honored to pay taxes in America. The thing is…I could probably feel “just as honored” for about “half the price.”
At one time, Godfrey was THE most powerful man in the Broadcasting Industry.
Most people do not enjoy paying taxes. It is not a fun thing to do…there are certainly other things more pleasant!
They say, ours is a voluntary system…based on voluntary compliance…but try to un-volunteer once and see how far that gets you!
The people in the day and time of Jesus also paid taxes…and very much like us…they paid “a lot of them.” Every time they turned around they were being taxed…for something else. Something new!
Even worse, however – was that they had to pay their taxes to a government that they totally despised. It was an “occupying government – an occupying force!”
That even a portion of “their money” ended up in “Caesar’s pocket” – made them extremely unhappy. People resented the Roman domination and occupation of their land.
So Jesus was being asked a loaded question. It was a no win situation. No matter how he answered the question, someone was going to be very unhappy with him…and his answer.
And that was the point: To publicly embarrass Jesus in front of the crowds of people.
So…Jesus being Jesus, did as he usually did and he answered a question with another question.
“Whose likeness and inscription is on the coin?” It was an honest enough question. Whose face do you see, there? Well then, give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God…the things that are Gods.
His answer was irrefutable. It was classic. He somehow managed to side-step the whole debate and maintain his sense of honor and dignity.
Giving to the government for most of us is not the issue.
Rather the issue, as Jesus so brilliantly pointed out…is what do we give to God?
It was not only an excellent question in Jesus’ day and time…but I suggest to you in every day and time.
They say that there is something intrinsically seductive about money. The more we have, the harder it is for us to let go of it.
It has even been referred to as being “the almighty dollar.” You know that we are increasingly getting more and more materialistic. Are stuff is everything to us. Are stuff is beyond important. We want and need our stuff…or so we have been led to believe.
A cute illustration is about the kid who was given two quarters, one for Sunday School and one for an ice-cream cone. Walking down the street one of the two coins slipped out of his hand and fell through some grillwork into the sewer below. The little boy raised his face toward heaven and said with genuine sorrow…well God there goes your quarter!
What belongs to God? I tell you, it is a very good question. Amen.