Jesus was confronted by these religious fellows who were in the practice of tax evasion and wanted to entrap him with the government. Like today, some very talented people have found their ways to avoid paying their share of taxes, the people of ancient days found their ways as well. There are both earthly and spiritual laws for contributing financially to our government and God’s people are required to abide by those laws. In fact, there are penalties for the infraction of the law of giving such as jail time and in God ceasing of blessings and financial prosperity will occur. God will close the window of heaven by which we are blessed when we do not give (Mal.3:10). There are no illegalities to giving; as long it is not to support some bad thing like terrorism. We are encouraged to give all the time, the bible states that God blesses a cheerful giver(2cor9:7), and for many giving is a voluntary decision in every aspect. But, in other aspects giving takes the form of a must or obligation God spoke through the prophet Malachi saying that his people robbed him by not tithing or giving offerings (Mal3:8-9). It is important to note that there is a voluntary aspect of giving and a required one.
Mark 12:14 And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not?
15 Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why tempt ye me? bring me a penny, that I may see it.
16 And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Caesar’s.
17 And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s. And they marvelled at him.
These religious guys came to Jesus adorned with hypocrisy seeking a way to getting out of giving and getting Jesus in trouble, but their intentions were not undermined. In fact, Luke tells us that with the same measure we mete for giving it shall be measured to us (Lk6:38). Solomon’s proverb tells us that him that waters he shall be watered as well (prv11:24-25, Ecc11:2). Jesus knew the thoughts of their hearts and with the law of giving in question he had to ascertain that both earthen and heavenly were mentioned.