Finding Contentment: 5-Day Devotional for CoachesSample

Stop Being a Reluctant Taxpayer

How often do we say or think, “Gosh, I am so busy. I wish I had more time.” 

I think the whole world is “just so busy right now." We use business and life as an excuse to not invest time in the things we say are most important to us. 

In Matthew 22, the Pharisees are all preoccupied with their image. What was important to them was looking and being “right”—which is why they try to trap Jesus with trick questions. To these people who are so preoccupied with their image, Jesus says, “Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and to God what belongs to God.” 

He is reminding us that we are made in God’s image. That means we belong to Him.

So, how are we doing with that? Are we giving our whole selves to the One we belong to?

Theologian C.S. Lewis compared humanity’s relationship with God to that of reluctant taxpayers. We have a tendency to think, “How little can I pay and get away with it?” 

We need to give Him more time. 

God asks certain things of us. Yes, we need to show up to work, pay our taxes, and fulfill a lot of important and pressing things in our life. Jesus is saying that yes, we need to live out these responsibilities. We need to pay to Caesar what is Caesar’s.

What we think we need to do today may be important. But it’s not the most important thing! He is most important, and we need to strive to keep Him our first priority. 

Does the time you spend each morning and evening in prayer feel like you are paying the tax collector? Or are you investing in a relationship? Let’s try to give God our best self; not just our worn-out and ragged, end-of-the-day self. Let’s try to give Him our focused and most optimal self!