Matthew 17:24-27…
Fishing and freedom…
There is no tax on the treasure God bestows upon us in Christ. We are free men (John 8:32 / 2 Corinthians 3:17 / Galatians 5:1), but we must not use this as an occasion of license (1 Peter 2:16). Rather, we are to let love limit our liberty for the sake of others (1 Corinthians 9:19).
Jesus questioned the validity of this particular tax, but He taught His followers to pay the tax anyway (Matthew 22:17-22/ cf. Romans 13:7). Jesus was making a claim. He asserts His divine son-ship, and asserts that He is even freer from taxation than the sons of earthly kings. He was exempt from the temple tax (Nehemiah 10:32-33) because His Father was the Lord of the temple. Jesus was greater than the temple (Matthew 12:6), but He recognizes its place and supports its purpose. He is the ultimate authority yet He serves and does not subvert the principle of authority. How about you?
We live in a world with earthly obligations and influences. Our responsibility to be good citizens and to participate in society is essential. We reflect our commitment to Christ badly if we are not people of integrity. Having the right is not the same as being right. You can have the right to do something but not exercise it properly. It depends on what you’re fishing for, the souls of men, or the satisfaction of yourself.
3 comments:
Well put.
Kind of makes one want to change his fleshly ways.
P.
Well shoot; does this mean no poaching?! Lol.
;)
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