Give to Caesar
The book of Tobit is not in the Protestant Bible. It is an interesting story. Tobit is an honest, hardworking man, but because of some birds loses his sight. Now he must rely on neighbors and his wife, but because of self-pity, he does not trust them. Why do bad things happen to good people? I am not going to spoil the story but to say at this point, Tobit is only focused on himself and not on the plan God has for him.
The gospel has the story of the coin. Jesus is asked if the Jewish people should pay the temple tax or not. It is a trick question. If he says yes, then the Jewish leaders will say to the people that Jesus cannot possibly be from God. If he says no, the Jewish leaders will turn Jesus over to the Roman authorities as a revolutionary. Think a moment now, if you were in the crowd, you would know the dilemma Jesus is faced. You might even think the Jewish leaders set the perfect trap. Would you feel a bit of sympathy for Jesus? Maybe think of other times in your life where you were in the same situation?
Jesus was never taken aback by these questions. And the reason is that He is always focused on the Father and the Will of the Father. The question put to Jesus is a human problem. It has nothing to do with the Kingdom of God. Jesus says, “Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” Of course, the real question is what belongs to God. Not a coin, but you, yourself. Keeping your focus on God will help you in many situations. And I must admit, you will come up with some clever responses if God is first in your heart.
May the Lord bless you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen