At work with God – Day 11

₂₀So they looked for an opportunity. They bribed some men to pretend they were sincere, and they sent them to trap Jesus with questions, so that they could hand him over to the authority and power of the Roman Governor. ₂₁These spies said to Jesus, “Teacher, we know that what you say and teach is right. We know that you pay no attention to anyone's status, but teach the truth about God's will for people. ₂₂Tell us, is it against our Law for us to pay taxes to the Roman Emperor, or not?”

₂₃But Jesus saw through their trick and said to them, ₂₄“Show me a silver coin. Whose face and name are these on it?”

“The Emperor's,” they answered.

₂₅So Jesus said, “Well, then, pay the Emperor what belongs to the Emperor, and pay God what belongs to God.”

₆That is also why you pay taxes, because the authorities are working for God when they fulfil their duties. ₇Pay, then, what you owe them; pay them your personal and property taxes, and show respect and honour for them all.