Gospel

Are We Being Trapped?

by Roland Crim
11/05/19
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Later they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Jesus to catch him in his words. They came to him and said, “Teacher, we know that you are a man of integrity. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not? Should we pay or shouldn’t we?” But Jesus knew their hypocrisy. “Why are you trying to trap me?” he asked. “Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.” They brought the coin, and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?” “Caesar’s,” they replied. Then Jesus said to them, “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.” And they were amazed at him. Mark 12:13-17 NIV

Just as the Pharisees tried to trap Jesus, so we today each face a trap. The trap is the lure provided by earthly desires. Yes, we must spend time addressing issue of income, expenses, and other earthly matters. But where does the true focus of our heart lie? Are we so engrossed in earthly matters and providing for self that we cannot see the needs of our neighbor and sacrifice desires for needs of others? Does our heart belong to Christ, or is it given to that which is of this world? Jesus does tell us to give to man that which is man’s, but, He also tells us that we must give to God what is God’s. Our talents and our resources have been provided to us by God. We must give back to Him. Christ sacrificed so much on our behalf. Can we not in return sacrifice for Him? Make sure first that your heart is focused on Christ. Your life shall be all the better.