Question on taxes

¹⁵ Then the Pharisees met together to find a way to trap Jesus in his words. ¹⁶ They sent their disciples, along with the supporters of Herod, to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that you are genuine and that you teach God’s way as it really is. We know that you are not swayed by people’s opinions, because you don’t show favoritism. ¹⁷ So tell us what you think: Does the Law allow people to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” ¹⁸ Knowing their evil motives, Jesus replied, “Why do you test me, you hypocrites? ¹⁹ Show me the coin used to pay the tax.” And they brought him a denarion. ²⁰ “Whose image and inscription is this?” he asked. ²¹ “Caesar’s,” they replied. Then he said, “Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” ²² When they heard this they were astonished, and they departed. (Matthew 22:15-22, CEB)

They got together to trap Jesus. They wanted to make Jesus say something they could use against him.

But Jesus knew what they were doing and asked for a coin and then asked who’s image was on the coin. When they said Caesar, Jesus said, “Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.”

So what is the governments, and what is God’s?

And is it right for us to pay taxes?

Jesus said we should follow the leaders because they were placed in power by God, not in this passage but in others, and so we must give to the government what is theirs and also make sure that we give to God what is God’s. Notice that neither of these are if there is enough, but these are portions that belong to the ones it is being given to.

So pay your taxes, and surrender your life to God.