I really like this story from the book of Matthew:

 

The Pharisees—that is, the religious leaders of Jesus’ day—came to Him plotting how they might entangle Him in His talk, saying, “Teacher, we know that You are true, and teach the way of God in truth; nor do You care about anyone, for You do not regard the person of men. Tell us, therefore, what do You think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”

 

But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, “Why do you test Me, you hypocrites? Show Me the tax money.” So they brought Him a denarius,” a Roman coin of their day. “And He said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?” They said to Him, “Caesar’s.” And He said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” When they had heard these words, they marveled, and . . . went their way (Matthew 22:15-22).

 

Jesus outsmarted the Pharisees. But while we smile at the cleverness of Jesus, let’s not miss the deeper meaning of Jesus’ answer. The denarius was stamped with Caesar’s image and inscription and was intended for tax money to Caesar. But whose image and inscription are you stamped with? Have you ever thought about that?

 

If you have made Jesus the Lord and Savior of your life, then you are stamped with His image. 1 Corinthians 1:22 NKJV says, “[God] also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.” That means you belong to Him.

 

Jesus said to render to God the things that are God’s. He wants us to serve Him for whatever purpose He has for us in this life.

 

What a privilege—to belong to the God of the universe! Lord, what do you want me to do for You today?