Giving to Cesar what is Cesar's...and an extra two cents

I wrote this piece several years ago, but as I've watched all this debate from the right/left over health care and taxes, I find myself often trying to figure out how the conservative right makes good with the word of God. Granted, there are many out there that can challenge my lifestyle within the word of God, and I think as humans we are all have that issue before us.

However, I still can't get past two important things both found in the book of Matthew. Paraphrasing, of course - the first is giving to Cesar what is Cesar's (as discussed below) and the second being most of Matthew 6. Matthew 6: 19-21, 24 are shown below.

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. ²⁰But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. ²¹For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." &
"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money."

I don't understand people being afraid of paying more taxes. My feeling is, if I've been blessed enough and have worked hard enough to be in a position to pay taxes, then I'm lucky. I don't see taxes as a necessary evil, I see them as a way to give back. It may be that its forced giving back that angers people. They don't want the government or anyone telling them what to do with their money. That sounds like it has some logic in it, however, there is a price of admission to be a part of this amazing country. The rights afforded to us in the Constitution are rights that cost money. It's impossible to think we can have dreams and aspirations as great as this country does, and don't believe there is any cost associated to it. And I haven't even tapped the religious aspect noted above. Our life is so short. Our time here on earth is a blessing from our Father. We are not put here to be Americans or Michiganders or Ann Arborites, we are put here as brothers and sisters in Christ. Brothers & Sisters...to me that sentiment is bigger than any tax bill my city, state or federal government gives to me. Being a part of a country that has both national pride and a national heart is of equal importance. Pride without heart is merely arrogance. Pride with heart is acceptance, courage and respect. I would give my last dime to be a part of a nation of peoples who have heart and compassion.

We are a nation divided. We have been almost since inception. We are a nation that fought to the death over state rights and civil rights. We are a nation that has tried to stop the progress of blacks and woman. And yet last night, it was our first black president and a woman speaker of the house that helped bring the heart back to a proud nation. We most likely will always be divided. We will in no uncertain terms make mistakes at all levels of government, because we are governed by people. The joy in that is that it's ok. B/c we are people created by, loved by and cared for by a being greater than any divide we have.

When my dad died, it didn't matter how much money he had in his pocket. It didn't matter how much money I was making in Chicago. All that matter is love and compassion and heart. I hope that we as a nation can learn to live in life together as citizens and brothers/sisters the same way we come together to grieve. There is power in compassion.

And now...on to giving to Cesar (written July 30th, 2005)

Giving to Cesar what is Cesar's

When confronted with choosing state over church, Jesus instructed his followers to give to Cesar what was Cesar's and to God what was God's. In America is it possible to be both a representative for Cesar and a representative of God?

A representative's role is to listen to his/her people and filter out the needs that concern their constituency and then work on creating/influencing the laws appropriately. Contrary, the role of clergy is to lead and teach based on the established laws of God. Clergy are the representatives of God who are responsible for feeding the people the Lord's words in the hopes that they will not only eat from the table, but will bring their neighbors to it.

How do you govern people knowing the best interest of the masses is to be fed by God, but the driving interest is led by desire? We are asking representatives to face the daunting task of moderating the needs of the people by creating the laws of the land within the established laws of God.

The role of religion has always been an important one in the U.S. From the birth of the nation to the shaping of its spine, religion has walked with us down each journey we as a nation have undertaken. In a future blog, I'll address the complex historical journey the U.S. and religion have undertaken. From colonial laws to modern day science, religion has been both a unifying ingredient, as well as, a dividing force. Before we tap into the historical context, I'd like to just open the piece up to the questions that will get people thinking about the separate but equal roles that clergy and representatives are currently playing.

America is a country governed by the people for the people. People set the laws. Considering not all people worship at the same table, which religious laws do we take into consideration when creating the law of the land? Is it fair to put the religious views of some before others? Is this a majority rules argument dependent on whether or not the majority share the similar teachings of the church?

How do we let religion guide us as a nation? And with so much divide within the religions, how do we sell a uniformed nationalistic belief to our own people, let alone to other nations who do not share our religious views? Religion is a practice of following God's law for the benefit of all of God's people. It does not know nations, it does not know townships, it was written on and seeks truth.

To me these are the core questions that need to be under constant consideration and discussion. How do we bring people to the same table both in a political and religious sense? Who are the masters at each? And what is our role?
The questions can be addressed in so many different ways, each dependent on where the individual focus lies. Do you side more on the side of politics or religion? Are you giving to Cesar what is Cesar's and to God what is God's?