If you’re into history – and we all should be! – the drama woven into the scene was palpable. The setting: Israel, circa 30 AD. It was the week before the Crucifixion, and things were heating up between Jesus and the Jewish leaders. Tensions were high – as they are today. The occupation by the Romans had been an ongoing offense to the conquered Jews for generations, and the salt in their open wound was the taxation imposed on them by Rome, by force. In Jerusalem, it was always April 15th.

            Here’s how it came down: “Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap (Jesus) in his words. They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. ‘Teacher,’ they said, ‘we know you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren’t swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are. Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?’ But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, ‘You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? Show me the coin used for paying the tax.’ They brought him a denarius, and he asked them, ‘Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?’ ‘Caesar’s,’ they replied. Then he said to them, ‘Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.’ When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away.” (Matthew 22:15-22)

            Last week, the wounds were open again, on “tax day.” There’s nothing closer to a man’s heart than his wallet. Nothing evokes an emotional reaction more than shelling-out taxes to a government that is not your friend. It’s hard enough when a citizen feels that his leaders were hand-picked, and their policies align with their own preferences. When there is any misalignment – call it a drop in “public approval” – finding a moral workaround from tax obligation becomes a hopeful search.

            Caesar’s Rome was a harsh enterprise for people who weren’t part of their elite citizenry. If there was ever a time when a moral/religious exception to sending the check would be granted, it would have been in Jesus’ day. What would God say to avoiding the tax man?

            Jesus’ answer? “Pay up,” to put it bluntly. “And, while you’re at it, don’t forget your obligation to be current with God, as well.” Don’t short-change the government, and, don’t short-change God.

            Last week was a big week for Americans; we all have an action demanded of us, as citizens, on April 15^th, every year. What do we do about Caesar?

            God’s tax counsel still stands: no funny business. No offshore shenanigans. No shell game sleight-of-hand. Compute your portion of the state and national tax burden, and send it in – with, or without a smile. Do it again, every April.

            Don’t miss the second part of his response, either: every time you receive a dollar, give God His due. If Caesar took 50¢ out before you got it, make your transfer to God your next move. Why?

            In this economy, no one wins by getting behind on their tax obligations: write the tax check. And, in this economy, you need powerful alliances more than ever before: write the God check.

            “‘Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,’ says the Lord Almighty, ‘and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit,’ says the Lord Almighty. ‘Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,’ says the Lord Almighty.” (Malachi 3:10-12)

            We did it last week: Federal taxes and state taxes drained our bank account; we had no choice. But, we also kept our Kingdom cashflow active. That’s not a drain: it’s a transfer to our eternal accounts that will be waiting for us when we arrive there. Are your multiple layers of accountability up-to-date?

 — Bob Shank