This post was originally published on this site
https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!cZwi!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F93c67273-5551-4c34-a9dd-3d90560d6958_750x354.jpeg
Matthew 17:24-27 24 After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma temple tax came to Peter and asked, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?”
25 “Yes, he does,” he replied.
When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. “What do you think, Simon?” He asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes—from their own children or from others?”
26 “From others,” Peter answered.
“Then the children are exempt,” Jesus said to him. 27 “But so that we may not cause offense, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.”
We see that even back in those days, taxes were not levied fairly across the board. However, Jesus said “least we offend”. In other words, let’s go with the program even though it may be unjust. Today, we see the constant shift in how taxes are levied in the U.S., depending on which party is in office, the tax laws are changed to reflect that party’s approach to the matter. Sometimes it is slanted towards the rich, sometimes it is geared to allow those who are not rich to get a tax break.
Jesus’ focus was on spiritual things. He acknowledged and abided by the tax laws of the time. He got money to pay His taxes supernaturally. Peter was a fisherman by trade, so Jesus told him to do what he used to gain a living, fishing. This time, however, he caught a very unique fish; it had a coin in its mouth.
This story shows God’s ability to provide for us in a supernatural manner. It also shows that this supernatural provision may sometimes come through our occupation. As we follow the leadings of the Holy Spirit, He will lead us to prosperity and resources for our everyday needs.
Jesus also said in another place when the Pharisees sought to entangle Him in His talk: Matthew 22:17 “Tell us, therefore, what do you think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not? 18 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. 20 And He said to them, Whose image and inscription is this? 21 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”.
If you are concerned about paying your taxes for 2025, take heart, God can and will make a way. Our blessings are not dependent on who is in the Whitehouse. Our blessings come directly from God, who is able to supply all our needs according to His riches in glory. We should do our part in the area of politics: Vote when the Lord leads, for whoever the Lord leads us to vote for, is His will. Do not stress because someone you did not vote for is in the Whitehouse. Pray for those in authority, for that is what the Bible tells us to do; so that we may live in peace. Don’t let politics stress you out. Jesus operates above the politics of the day. His promises are yeah and amen, and He is fully capable of blessing you and making a way for you no matter who is President.
-
Reposted from 2021.
https://joyfoster.substack.com/