Matthew 22:15-22

Why We Give

            Why do people donate money to a church or charity? Are we all just such generous people that we love to give all our money away? The United States is known for being the most generous of givers in the world. Indeed, there was a time in our history when people gave because they simply knew it was the right thing to do. It was a sense of obligation that led parents and grandparents in regular tithing to church. Maybe that’s still the case for some of you. We give because we simply know it’s what we’re expected to do. Yet, times have changed of course. This sense of obligation isn’t enough for most people anymore. With such an abundance of charities, churches, and many noble causes in our society seeking our attention and money, it’s much harder for people to decide where they want their money to go. The number one reason why people give money today is belief in the purpose of the organization. People want to see their money going to a good cause. They want to see that their money makes a difference in people’s lives. We all know that warm feeling we get from doing something good and seeing the impact. It makes it easier for people to give again. But such is the dilemma of the church. It’s not that we don’t make an impact, it’s that most people don’t see it. What people see is the hum drum, regular routine. For when you give to the church, it’s about more than just paying for a building, lights, heat, salaries and so on. It’s about having the necessary space to gather around the Word of God and to receive his blessings!

            In our Gospel lesson, Jesus gives us some insight into the difficult question of how to handle money. We do owe taxes to Caesar, but so too does God desire our offerings. But it’s not because God needs them. For so we’ll learn:

OUR OFFERINGS TO GOD BRING CHRIST TO OUR NEIGHBOR!

I.

            Now, I’m just speculating here, but I can only imagine the Pharisee’s argument went a little like this. “You know, Jesus, if we didn’t have to pay taxes to Caesar, then we could give more money to the church. Our money could go to a much better cause then funding the evil of Caesar!” It’s the type of fake holiness the Pharisees dress up in often. Consider how they approach Jesus, “Teacher, we know that you are true and teach the way of God truthfully, and do not care about anyone’s opinion, for you are not swayed by appearances,” Matthew 22:16. It’s this kind of talk that always accompanies money. Charities, salesmen, or anyone seeking your money like to butter you up so that you’ll be willing to give more. For those that want your money love telling you that you’re obligated to give it, or that you’ll feel good about giving it. Consider the Pharisee’s question, “Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” Matthew 22:17. At that time, the Jews despised the Roman government. Because Caesar claimed to be a god, Jews considered paying taxes to be idolatry. How much better would they feel not giving it to Caeser and giving it to the “work of God”?

For you see, I could stand up here and simply say, “See, God demands you give money to him, to his Church!” I could dress it up as saying you’re doing a good work which pleases God. And whenever asked about where that money goes, I could say that all that’s important is that it went to the “work of God.” For the people of God shouldn’t care how the church uses it. But such talk is no better than the Pharisees. Yes, dear people of God, the church has spoken in this way in the past and it’s come back to hurt us now. Because so many churches mishandled money, hid their evil intentions behind veils of holiness, and forbade any accountability, now the church struggles to gain people’s trust. So let me make this clear. God doesn’t need your money. There’s no amount of money, time, or talents that we can give to God to make us acceptable in his sight. You’re under no obligation to give money to church. 

II.

            For the way of the gospel isn’t obligation, but desire. We should desire to give money to Christ’s church because of all the wonderful things that God has done for us. And indeed, we’re obligated to pay taxes to “Caesar”. There’s no avoiding that, but that we know for a different reason. Consider Jesus’ answer to the tax question, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s,” Matthew 22:21. Our money is marked with the name and likeness of our government. The denarius bore the likeness of Caesar and thus belonged to him and was owed to him. But the whole world bears the marks and likeness of our God. Everything in the whole of Creation is God’s and should be returned to him, even government. The government is upheld by the very hand of God and is his agent against the evildoer. For when we pay taxes, we’re really returning to God the things of God too. For God is pleased to work through these means… through government to defend and protect us, and through his church to care for all people. 

            Rendering to God a tithe- be it money, or time, or our talents- isn’t about what we can do for God, but about how God is using us to serve our neighbor. Our tithe goes to ensure the continuance of God’s ministry among us. For in that ministry, God renders to us his blessings. God pours out his forgiveness and grace. He gives us Christ. God tithed Christ to us that he may care for all of our needs. Jesus was given to heal our illnesses, to bind up our hearts, and to forgive our sins by dying on the cross. For consider the impact of the church in this light. When we gather, God is giving eternity to you and all people. Through the work of His church, God is reaching out to care for and bless our neighbors too. For when we give a tithe to the church, we give it because God has richly blessed us already in Christ that now the work of the Church may continue to preach the Gospel, reach the lost, and care for all people in God’s creation. God is pleased to work through these means; God is pleased to use his church, his people that we all may share in the likeness of Christ… and thus, in our words and deeds, bring Christ to the whole world.

            What do you think, dear brothers and sisters in Christ? Shall we not with cheerful hearts render to God our thanks and praise, service and obedience, that he may use us to reach our neighbor too? For God has remade you into the image of Christ that you shall be his, both now and forevermore. In Jesus’ name! Amen!