A few months ago, a question went viral on social media. Women asked their husbands and boyfriends, 性视界传媒淗ow often do you think about the Roman Empire?性视界传媒 Their responses surprised everybody. An overwhelming number of men responded that they think about the Roman Empire 性视界传媒渙ften性视界传媒 or even 性视界传媒渆very day.性视界传媒
I was shocked 性视界传媒 not because I don性视界传媒檛 think about the Roman Empire often, but rather because I thought I was the only one.
For the last two years, I have listened almost daily to a podcast called 性视界传媒淭he History of Rome.性视界传媒 The entire podcast is over one hundred hours long and covers the 1,000-year history of the Roman Republic and Empire.
I have nearly finished listening to the entire history 性视界传媒 twice.
As a pastor, I am fascinated by the history of an empire that has not only defined Western Civilization but also has provided the context for the New Testament of the Bible and the first centuries of the Christian Church.
I was thinking about the Roman Empire today as I read from Matthew chapter 22.
Days before he died on the cross, Jesus found himself in the temple courts being challenged by his enemies. They wanted to trap him with a question.
性视界传媒淚s it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?性视界传媒 they asked.
If Jesus said, 性视界传媒淵es,性视界传媒 the people would hate him because they despised the pagan emperor and empire that ruled over them.
If Jesus said, 性视界传媒淣o,性视界传媒 they could report him to the Roman authorities and have him arrested.
Jesus asked for a coin. 性视界传媒淲hose portrait is this? And whose inscription?性视界传媒 Jesus asked.
性视界传媒淐aesar性视界传媒檚,性视界传媒 they replied.
性视界传媒淕ive to Caesar what is Caesar性视界传媒檚 and to God what is God性视界传媒檚性视界传媒 (Matthew 22:15-22).
You and I are blessed to not live in a dictatorial empire, but rather a democratic republic. We are blessed to have a voice in our government and freedoms which people in Jesus性视界传媒 day could only dream of.
Yet oftentimes, like the people of Jesus性视界传媒 day, we find ourselves despising the authorities who govern over us. We look at them as inept, corrupt, or immoral. We get frustrated by what seem to be unfair income taxes, sales taxes, and property taxes.
We then feel justified in cutting corners, in not reporting all our income 性视界传媒 simply put, in cheating on our taxes. As Christians, however, our Savior instructs us to give to Caesar what is Caesar性视界传媒檚, even if we don性视界传媒檛 like him, even if we don性视界传媒檛 agree with him 性视界传媒 even if we think he is taxing us unfairly.
Not only does God want you to honestly pay your taxes, but he also wants you to respect, obey, and pray for your government officials. The Apostle Paul put it this way, 性视界传媒淚f you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor性视界传媒 (Romans 13:7).
As Christians, we don性视界传媒檛 have to agree with the government. God has given us the wonderful privilege and responsibility of being able to participate in our government. Let your voice be heard. Vote your conscience.
But then, whoever ends up being president or governor or mayor 性视界传媒 give them your respect. Obey the laws of the land. Pay your taxes. In doing so, you are honoring and serving the God who has placed them over you.
Remember that the next time you find yourself thinking about the Roman Empire.
