In God We Trust
Exodus
33:12-23 1 Thessalonians
1:1-10 Matthew 22:15-22
“Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” [Matt. 22:21]
From a cursory reading of today’s Gospel from Matthew, one might
conclude that it represents Jesus’ pronouncement about the division
between church and state. But according to Biblical scholars,
that would be a misreading and an oversimplification.
As we know from earlier passages in Scripture, the Pharisees have
already decided that Jesus is dangerous and needs to be destroyed, but
they lack a valid reason for doing so. Today’s story is one more
attempt on their part to trick Jesus and give the authorities
justification for killing him.
In this passage, both the Herodians and Pharisees are involved in the
set-up. The Herodians were those who cooperated with the Roman
oppressors, while the Pharisees remained true to Judaism. To
justify their loyalties, the first group uses expedience; the latter,
faith. When the Pharisees ask if it is “lawful” to pay taxes to
Caesar, they are actually asking Jesus if the laws of the Torah permit
it.
The Pharisees believe they have Jesus trapped. If he answers that
a good Jew should support the Roman occupiers, he would seem to be
favoring a power that is punishing and killing Jews and to be giving
implicit approval of such actions.
On the other hand, to say that Jews should not pay taxes would have
been treason against Rome and would have resulted in Jesus’ arrest.
What the Pharisees ask is an either-or question of loyalties, but as
Jesus so clearly demonstrates, it is not an either-or question, and it
requires a both-and answer. Jesus examines the denarius and the
head of Caesar on the coin, and says, “Give therefore to the emperor
the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are
God’s.” [Matt.: 22:21]
In his response, Jesus affirms that it is not against the laws of the
Torah to pay taxes to Caesar, so a good Jew could rest easy about that
obligation to the state. At the same time, his answer avoids in
any way provoking the Roman authorities.
Underlying his statement is what Jesus does not say, but what is
implied by his answer: “All things come of thee, O Lord . . .
” Even a Roman denarius.
It is this recognition of our dependence on God that is at the root of
this story. If we are to be truly faithful, our allegiance is not
an either-or proposition. Even in our own country, we find
evidence of the both-and nature of our spiritual and civic lives.
If you examine the currency of the United States of America, you will
find the words “In God We Trust.” What comes from God is
everything: the land in which we live, the food we eat, the homes that
shelter us, the freedoms we enjoy under the Constitution, and, yes,
even the government.
Unlike the people of Jesus’ time, we are not programmed to resent or
fear the state, but rather to look to it for protection, stability, and
the preservation of a way of life. Yet, as recent events
demonstrate, it is easy to get wrapped up in and frustrated by what we
think the state is either doing — going to war, putting personal gain
above public good, over-regulating — or by what it is not doing —
preserving the environment, providing affordable health care for all,
or protecting its most vulnerable citizens.
Despite the fact that scholars tell us today’s Gospel reading is not a
statement about the dual nature of state and church, we nevertheless
find the passage thought-provoking and challenging at this particular
time in our history.
Daily we are bombarded with political ads. Sensational headlines
employ such hot-button words as “crisis,” “panic,” and
“catastrophe.” So-called media experts run the gamut from liberal
to conservative and from doomsday prophets to voices of calm. And
it is in such a climate that St. James’ stewardship campaign is under
way.
So, like the Pharisees who profess to wonder what to do about their
taxes, we have some experience of competing loyalties and
priorities. In the throes of such political and economic unrest,
we give what we owe to the state — our taxes, our votes, our voices,
and our loyalty, praying that ours is, indeed, a government under God.
The weightier question is what is it we give to God. Not what we owe, but what we give.
Deborah Smith Douglas raises an interesting issue in her article
“Unfailing Treasure: Lost and Found.” She says, “We humans are
inclined toward unhappy preoccupation with our failing treasure,
unaware . . . of the point at which our possessions begin to possess
us.” [Weavings, Vol. XX, No. 6, Nov./Dec. 2005, p.
13] In last week’s Old Testament lesson from Exodus, we were told
how the wandering Israelites melted down all their gold jewelry and
possessions to mold a calf to worship. It may be prudent for us
to ask ourselves what are the “golden calves” which we have made the
center of our lives. When we are preoccupied with such
idols, it becomes dangerously easy to ignore the source of all our
blessings and to fail to order our lives in gratitude to God.
When we get right down to it, here is the crux of the matter: the
source of gratitude is in receiving. The key lies in recognizing
what we have been given — life itself, talents, creature comforts,
meaningful relationships, and, most important, forgiveness and
unconditional love. Then, as we re-focus on valuing and honoring
those gifts, we acknowledge the very real presence of God in our lives
and move into a place of thanksgiving. And from there, into the
mode of giving.
As another writer put it, “Gratitude creates space for God’s gifts and
allows for those transformations that the gifts demand of us.” [Norris
Gunilla, “The Heart of Response-Ability,” Weavings, Vol. XXIII, No. 4, July/August 2008, p. 17]
Transformation — that’s an exciting and
comforting concept. Too often, however, we let worry replace the
impulse for gratitude. Thinking about these last few weeks, most
of us have experienced an underlying sense of dis-ease as we ponder our
own treasure and what the future may hold. But as a friend
recently reminded a group of us, “We have no reason to be anything but
grateful. We have so much more than most people in the world and
that will continue to be true regardless of current economic
realities. We will not starve or be without shelter. We
will continue to have an enviable standard of living and to enjoy
unprecedented freedoms.”
A quotation attributed to St. Augustine seems appropriate here: “God
wants to give us something but cannot, because our hands are full —
there’s nowhere for Him to put it.”
So long as we are clutching onto what we perceive of as security, our
hands are occupied, and it is impossible to open them in gestures of
giving or prayer. But a funny thing happens to us on our way to
gratitude — we become increasingly aware of God’s presence in us.
And when that happens, observe the changes. We are better able to
put things in perspective; to acknowledge that we, thankfully, are not
in charge of the universe; and, best of all, to operate from open,
loving, and grateful hearts.
And as we have often heard, it is in giving that we receive. It’s
a beautiful circle, isn’t it, this receiving and giving and receiving?
Admittedly, these are discouraging times in which to ponder a pledge to
St. James’ Church. And yet we all know where to begin: by
identifying those gifts which we have received, through God’s grace, in
this place. Beautiful worship experiences; a loving, caring
community of faith; opportunities to employ our talents to benefit
others. A place of friendship and inspiration. A place
where, in the centrality of the Eucharist, we find forgiveness,
acceptance, empowerment, comfort, love — whatever we need, freely given
by God.
Gratitude is the starting point. We have treasure to give of
time, talent, and money, and we can offer it in prayerful thanksgiving,
not out of obligation. How each of us responds to that
acknowledgment of our gifts is between us and God.
I ran across this quotation the other day, which seems to encapsulate a
Christian’s understanding of the current state of affairs: “Although we
remain aware of our vulnerability to the hard edges of the world, a
greater truth embraces our life — the fearful and wonderful solicitude
of God who, in Jesus Christ, covers our nakedness with the impregnable
courage of love.” [John S. Mogbgab, editor, Weavings, Vol. XIV, No. 2, March/April 1999, p. 2]
“The impregnable courage of love”! An amazing thought. Our gratitude for such a promise should have no limits.
As citizens, we will offer what we owe to this country. As
Christians, we will give in response to what we have received that we
may be enabled once more to give.
A favorite source of inspiration is A New Zealand Prayer Book.
In the Daily Devotion for Thursday Morning [p. 124] can be found this
Epistle Reflection. I can think of no better way to conclude this
sermon.
“Sparse sowing, meagre reaping;
but if we are generous, bountiful will be the harvest.
So let us give what we can,
not with regret, nor from a sense of duty.
God loves a cheerful giver.
“And when we help others, we will not just meet their needs,
we will unleash a flood of gratitude to God.
Many will give glory to God
for our loyalty to the gospel and for our generosity.
God loves a cheerful giver.”
AMEN.
Laura Shoffner
St. James’ Episcopal Church
Eureka Springs, AR
19 October 2008