To Ceasar what is Ceasar’s and to God what is God’s

The inscription is for

When we buy things, we always make sure that we personalize them. So, if you buy a car, you might hang items from the rearview mirror to personalize it. You will park it as close to your house to let others know it is your car. It is a good idea to inscribe your name on items in your home, such as tools in your toolbox and ladders. Because you never know when someone borrows them and does not return them. The physical or mental inscription is a must to observe on any item that is not yours. Returning things that are not ours is always a good practice; not returning is stealing. The 8th commandment of the 10 in the Bible tells us that we should not steal (Ex 20:15). Today, carjacking, smash and grab, and identity theft are rapidly increasing. Reports tell us that in 2024, stores lost 45 billion dollars to theft, and it is projected that they will lose 54 billion by 2027. 300,000 people fall victim to identity theft each year. The kingdom of God, the church, is also falling victim to theft. God complained to his people through the prophet Malachi that they robbed him of the tithes and offerings (Mal 3:8-9). Today, only 5% of churchgoers tithe, but only 2-5% give their complete tithes. 

Mark 12:14-17

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.

Now, Mark begins this chapter with Jesus telling the parable of the vineyard owner who, after he built it, set a watch-tower and put a hedge around it, and he lent it to workers (Mk 12:1). He lent it to the workers and did not give it to them, but they decided to keep it. When the vineyard owner sent servants to collect the fruit, the workers killed some and stoned others. Eventually, the owner sent his only begotten son to collect the fruit, but they killed him too. These workers did not want to give back the fruit they had produced to the owner. Jesus said that the Father is glorified when we bear much fruit (Jh 15:8). Refusing to bear the fruit is stealing from God. The purpose for us being in the vineyard or church is to bring forth fruit (Jh 15:16). 

When the Pharisees and the Herodians questioned Jesus about giving, he knew that they weren’t honest givers, but were stealing. Jesus reminded them about the inscription and whose it belonged to. Because it belonged to the Roman government, they needed to give it back to them. But not only did they have to fulfill their duty to the government, but they needed to give back to God and not sparingly as they were doing with the government (Lk 6:38). 

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