Give to God, What is God’s

The Pharisees were sent to trap Jesus. They watched Jesus’ every word, looking for something to hold against him. 

It must have been exhausting and frustrating to constantly be watched and questioned. Today’s question is, “Is paying the census tax to Caesar lawful? Should we pay, or should we not pay?” 

The Gospel says Jesus knew their hypocrisy. He asked them to bring him a coin, and then He gave them back their question. Whose image is on the coin? Of course, they gave the obvious answer, “Caesar’s.” With that established, Jesus answers their original question, “Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.”

Today, I was drawn to the coin, the denarius. I wonder if it was a new coin, shiny and bright, or had it changed hands many times and was worn and grimy. Immediately, the Pharisees knew when they looked at the coin that it was Caesar’s image. It must have been clear enough. 

When others look at the face of the “coin” that is my life, will it be easy to tell who I belong to? 

Perhaps our lives are all like that coin, and the question is to whom do we belong? If someone were to pick up the denarius that represents my life today, would they immediately know whose face is on the coin? Would they know to whom I belong?

There are lots of things in life we can belong to. Some might be our wealth, health, security, self-image, reputation, power, the “things” we own, people, attitudes, and prejudices. No doubt that list could go on and on. It might be different for each of us because we each have our own soft spots and temptations. 

The other question this reading brought me was, “What condition will the coin I present to God be in at the end of my life.” Will it be shiny and new or dull and worn? At first, I thought I would want to be a shiny coin filled with luster. Then I realized that just because it is shiny doesn’t mean it will reflect God’s face well. It could indicate any of the vices or attitudes that have controlled my life. It will mirror whatever I have allowed to be first in my heart and life. 

Jesus recognizes hypocrisy. He will see the image reflecting my life, even if the coin could fool others.

Today, there were far more questions than answers in this reflection. Some of the things I know for sure are that the face of the coin that is my life will be battered and worn. The coin will be nicked on the edges and not very attractive to the eye. Each time I fought my way back to making God the most important thing in my life, the coin of my life took a beating. But it is the coin I have. It is the coin I present to the world. It is the coin I will give to God.

I am encouraged because I know, without question or doubt, that God will not look at the coin of my life with His eye but with his heart. God will not see dull, dented, and worn out. I hope when God looks at the coin of my life, He sees me as a reflection of Himself. I hope God sees in me the one He made in His image and likeness. I hope God finds the worn coin that is my life beautiful—beautiful enough to reside in His heart. 

Every day, we create the face of the coin of our lives. Every day, the image becomes more evident. We must look often and carefully at it and determine whose image is being created. And then we do as Jesus commanded, “Give to God what is God’s.”

In God’s Unending Love,

Gwen