Welcome back to Focused on Christ, where our passion is to exalt Christ and equip the church. In this episode, host Mike Crump is joined by Pastor Nathan Smith to tackle a topic everyone loves…taxes!
We dive into Jesus’ teachings on both the temple tax (Matthew [17:24]–27) and the Roman tax (Matthew [22:17]–22). Together, we explore:
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What was the two-drachma temple tax and its purpose?
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How did Jesus respond to the tax collectors, and what does His response teach us about giving today?
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Why did Jesus choose to pay the temple tax—even providing the payment in a miraculous way?
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What does “render to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s” mean for Christians living under earthly governments?
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How should believers today think about giving and paying taxes, even when governments use funds for evil purposes?
This thoughtful conversation will help you see how Jesus’ wisdom applies to both our worship and our civic responsibilities.
Discussion Questions:
- In Matthew 17, Jesus claims exemption from the temple tax as the Son of God, yet pays it anyway. What does this teach us about when we might relinquish our rights for the sake of others?
- How does Jesus’s response about paying taxes to Caesar in Matthew 22 help us understand our dual citizenship as Christians (in heaven and on earth)?
- Pastor Smith explains that New Testament giving should be motivated by gratitude rather than legal obligation. How has this understanding changed your perspective on giving?
- What challenges do you face when trying to be a cheerful giver rather than giving out of compulsion or duty?
- How do you reconcile paying taxes to a government that may use funds for purposes you disagree with morally?
- The sermon distinguishes between Old Testament tithing laws and New Testament principles of giving. How would you explain this difference to a new believer?
- Pastor Smith says, “Once I give my taxes to the government, it ceases to be mine.” How does this perspective help relieve the burden some Christians feel about government spending?
- In what ways can we honor both God and governmental authorities in our lives, even when those authorities are imperfect?