Wednesday, April 18th, 2018

As Tax Day 2018 has now come and gone, many of us have been thinking about our money for the last few weeks. The Bible mentions money many times because when God is not the number one priority in our lives, money typically takes that place. Jesus was famously questioned about taxes by the Pharisees in an attempt to trap him into speaking heresy. However, Jesus famously answered them, “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.” This is the perfect answer, as it perfectly reflects what we should be doing with our money – giving it! But what does it mean to give “to God what is God’s”? It means giving God the first of everything. This means we give to God before we give (or spend) to anything else – including taxes. It is a simple idea that is frightening to countless Christians. How will I afford all I need when I give God ten percent of my income? The better question is: How important is God in your life if you feel you need other things before Him? Today, reflect on your giving from last year. Make the commitment to give ten percent, before taxes, to God for one year and see how richly He will bless your life.

“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 12:17 NIV