Why do tithers render unto god what is Cesar's?
2006-07-21 01:58:08 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
That's what Jesus said when asked by the pharisees if they should pay their taxes. The Pharisees were trying to trap him into saying something that would incriminate him, so they could have him arrested.
Jesus was specifically talking about taxes. Specifically, taxes should be paid to the government. He never said that all money should be given to the government.
In fact, tithes to the temple, or the church were important to Jesus. One example was when he was in the temple. He watched as the people came and dropped their money in the box, and commented how one little old lady had given more with her two coins than all the rich people who made a show of their "generous" giving. He was making a point about the importance of sacrificial giving, which is the essence of tithes.
2006-07-21 02:08:41 · answer #1 · answered by Privratnik 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The facetious answer is "Our money says 'In God We Trust' on it, while Roman money had Caesar on it".
The serious answer is that when Jesus said that, he was making a point about money and paying taxes. The people of the area were proud Jews who basically resented Roman occupation, but they were powerless to resist. Ancient Jewish prophecy of a coming messiah predicted a King whose kingdom would never fall. So, when the messiah came, some were very put off that an all-powerful political kingdom was not established. The conversation is noteworthy because the people wanted Jesus to start a revolt. Instead, he told them to pay their taxes.
Christians interpret the promise of the unbreakable kingdom to be a spiritual kingdom under Christ. That's why all the "The kingdom is at hand" talk.
2006-07-21 02:06:39 · answer #2 · answered by sideshot72 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For those arguing approximately Roman taxes.....Jesus became into no longer Roman! :oP He did no longer assemble taxes, and he did no longer recommend taxes, so despite the Romans did with the taxes has no longer something to do with something. Rome became into the occupying stress in Israel on the time, no longer the chosen government. Tax creditors have been hated via fact Rome allowed them to maintain something they'd extract above and previous what that they had promised to the Roman government. They have been certainly thieves who stole with the backing of the Roman government. The "render unto Caesar" remark became into Jesus reaction to those who have been attempting to seize Him into an anti-Roman stance so as that they'd have Him arrested as a rebel.
2016-10-08 03:59:41 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
jesus liked to talk in obscure ways. (Perhaps that's why The Gospel of Judas and the Gospel of Mary Magdalene both noted that Jesus thought his disciples were utterly missing his point.)
What i get from that is jesus was telling people don't be so concerned about material things. I found that story pretty funny, showed a sense of humor.
On the other hand, read the book Misquoting Jesus. It is, for example, undisputed among scholars, that the story wherein Jesus says that he who is without sin should cast the first stone, is a fabrication. It appears in no texts at all until after 400 A.D. it's a great story, but it's not jesus'. Also, my homeschooled son likes to point out to me that a lot of supposed sayings of Christ are designed to support the occupation of jerusalem by Rome - including verses telling you to carry a soldier's pack... I suspect these were added by Constantine - or by the traitor Paul, who eviscerated Christ's philosophy, reducing it to chanting instead of acting.
2006-07-21 02:13:27 · answer #4 · answered by cassandra 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes he did... and he also said "and to God what is God's"
"Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s." Matthew 17:21
tithing was an old testiment practice to atone for sins. people brought the best of whatever they had as a sacrifice to god. the church leaders expected it and though it belonged to god, some even feasted on it afterward. some still do.
2006-07-21 02:16:09 · answer #5 · answered by littleminx 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For someone who is athiest you sure know a lot about the bible. Were you forced to go to Catholic school as a child? Or is it a case of you can't just not believe you have to know what it is you are not believing in?
2006-07-21 04:43:42 · answer #6 · answered by Dark Light 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It means they will pay the taxes that the Romans want with the money that the Romans provide.
2006-07-21 02:02:23 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
How about reading the rest of that verse, buddy...
Matthew 22:21 (NIV)
Then he said to them, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's."
A couple words can change a lot...
2006-07-21 02:08:19 · answer #8 · answered by jthreattix 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Weird questiion
2006-07-21 02:01:00 · answer #9 · answered by musiclover 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Render unto Ceaser what is his" = Pay Taxes.
2006-07-21 02:07:57 · answer #10 · answered by brett.brown 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋