We know from Scripture that what belongs to Caesar like taxes should be given to Caesar. But what about what belongs to God? How do we properly give to God what is His, according to Luke 20:25?<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s read Luke 20:21\u201326 from the English Standard Version (ESV) to understand this better:<\/p>\n
Luke 20:21-26 (ESV):<\/strong>
\n21 Then they asked him, \u201cTeacher, we know that you speak and teach rightly, and you do not show partiality, but teach the way of God truthfully.
\n22 Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?\u201d
\n23 But he perceived their craftiness and said to them,
\n24 \u201cShow me a denarius. Whose likeness and inscription does it have?\u201d
\nThey said, \u201cCaesar\u2019s.\u201d
\n25 He said to them, \u201cThen render to Caesar the things that are Caesar\u2019s, and to God the things that are God\u2019s.\u201d
\n26 And they were not able in any way to catch him in a speech before the people. And astonished by his answer, they became silent.<\/p><\/blockquote>\nJesus uses a powerful theological principle here\u2014recognizing ownership by the image and inscription<\/strong> on the coin. Since the coin bears Caesar\u2019s image, it rightfully belongs to Caesar.<\/p>\n
This raises a deeper spiritual truth: just as the coin bears Caesar\u2019s image, we bear God\u2019s image<\/strong>. The Bible teaches this clearly:<\/p>\n
Genesis 1:27 (ESV):<\/strong>
\n\u201cSo God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\nBeing created in God\u2019s image (imago Dei) means that our very essence body, soul, and spirit reflects God\u2019s character and belongs to Him. This theological truth has profound implications for how we live and honor God.<\/p>\n
The Apostle Paul expands on this in his letter to the Corinthians:<\/p>\n
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (ESV):<\/strong>
\n19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,
\n20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.<\/p><\/blockquote>\nHere Paul reminds us that our bodies are not just biological entities; they are temples of the Holy Spirit<\/strong>. Because God\u2019s Spirit dwells within believers, our bodies and lives are sacred, purchased by Christ\u2019s sacrifice.<\/p>\n
Furthermore:<\/p>\n
1 Corinthians 6:13 (ESV):<\/strong>
\n\u201cFood is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food\u201d\u2014and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\nThis teaches that our bodies are meant for God\u2019s purposes, not for sin or immorality. To sin against our bodies is to dishonor God, whose image we bear.<\/p>\n
\nHow do we give God what belongs to Him?<\/h3>\n
1. BY BEING SAVED<\/strong>
\nSalvation is the starting point. It means surrendering our spirit to Jesus through repentance and baptism both water baptism and baptism in the Holy Spirit as Jesus commanded (Mark 16:16, ESV: \u201cWhoever believes and is baptized will be saved\u201d). When we believe in Christ and give Him our lives, we return to God what is rightfully His.<\/p>\n2. BY TURNING AWAY FROM SIN<\/strong>
\nPaul\u2019s exhortation in 1 Corinthians 6:13 reminds us that living in purity honors God. Sexual immorality, substance abuse, immodest dressing, or any sin that harms our bodies is an affront to God\u2019s ownership of us. Since we bear God\u2019s image, our bodies should be treated with reverence and holiness (Romans 12:1, ESV: \u201cpresent your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God\u201d).<\/p>\n
\nSummary<\/h3>\n
Just as the coin with Caesar\u2019s image belongs to Caesar, we belong to God because we are made in His image. Therefore, our souls and bodies belong to God and must be given to Him fully\u2014through salvation, holiness, and faithful living.<\/strong><\/p>\n
May the Lord bless you richly as you honor Him with all that you are.<\/p>\n
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