Render to God What Belongs to God

Many people are familiar with the words of Jesus in Mark 12:17: “Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.” This verse is often quoted in discussions about government, taxes, and civic responsibilities, as though Jesus were simply affirming the duty to pay taxes. However, when we look more closely at this passage, we discover that Jesus was teaching a much deeper truth—one that extends beyond financial obligations and speaks directly to the heart of our devotion to God. The religious leaders of Jesus’ day attempted to trap Him with a politically charged question, hoping to force Him into making a statement that would either anger the Roman authorities or turn the Jewish people against Him. Yet, as always, Jesus responded with divine wisdom, shifting the conversation from politics to something far more profound: the question of ownership and allegiance. The real challenge presented in this passage is not just about paying taxes but about recognizing what belongs to God. If the coin bore the image of Caesar and rightfully belonged to him, then what bears the image of God? The answer is clear—we do. Created in His image, we belong to Him, and our ultimate allegiance is not to any earthly authority but to the Lord Himself. As we explore this passage, we will move beyond the surface-level interpretation and seek to understand what it truly means to give to God what is rightfully His.

As Jesus continued His ministry, the religious leaders grew increasingly desperate to discredit Him. In this passage, we see an unusual alliance form between the Pharisees and the Herodians—two groups that were typically at odds with one another. The Pharisees, who were staunchly opposed to Roman rule, resented paying taxes to Caesar, while the Herodians, who were loyal to Herod and aligned with Roman authority, supported the taxation. Yet, despite their differences, they united with a common purpose: to trap Jesus in His words. Their approach was deceptive, as they began with flattery, acknowledging Jesus as a man of integrity who spoke the truth without partiality. However, their praise was insincere, designed only to set Him up for their trick question: “Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not? Should we pay them, or shouldn’t we?”

This question was a calculated attempt to force Jesus into a no-win situation. If He affirmed paying taxes to Caesar, He would risk losing favor with the Jewish people, many of whom viewed Roman taxation as oppressive and unjust. On the other hand, if He spoke against paying taxes, He could be accused of sedition and rebellion against the Roman government, which would give the authorities grounds to arrest Him. The leaders believed they had placed Jesus in an impossible position, where any answer He gave would work against Him. However, as we will see in the next section, Jesus was not so easily trapped. Rather than falling into their snare, He responded with a wisdom that not only silenced His accusers but also revealed a deeper truth about our obligations to both earthly authorities and, more importantly, to God.

Seeing through their deceit, Jesus did not immediately answer their question but instead asked for a Roman coin—a denarius. This was significant because it forced His challengers to acknowledge that they were already participating in the Roman economic system by using the currency. As they handed Him the coin, Jesus posed a simple yet profound question: “Whose image and title are stamped on it?” They responded, “Caesar’s.”

With this response, Jesus delivered His famous statement: “Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.” On the surface, He addressed their question about taxes—affirming that Caesar had a legitimate claim to what bore his image. However, Jesus’ response went beyond politics and taxation. He masterfully redirected the discussion from a debate about civic duty to a much deeper spiritual truth: If the coin belonged to Caesar because it bore his image, then what belongs to God?

This was the crucial implication of Jesus’ words—one that His opponents failed to anticipate. While acknowledging the obligations of living under a government, Jesus subtly emphasized a higher responsibility: giving to God what is rightfully His. In doing so, He exposed the hypocrisy of the religious leaders, who were more concerned about earthly power and influence than about true devotion to God. The brilliance of Jesus’ answer left them speechless. Rather than being trapped by their question, He turned the moment into an opportunity to reveal a foundational truth about allegiance, identity, and the ultimate authority of God over all things.

Jesus’ response not only answered their question but also carried a far greater spiritual implication—one that often goes unnoticed. If the coin bore Caesar’s image and thus belonged to him, then what bears God’s image? The answer is clear: we do.

From the very beginning, Scripture teaches that humanity was created in the image of God. Genesis 1:26-27 declares, “Then God said, ‘Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us.’” Just as the denarius was marked by Caesar’s likeness, every human being is stamped with the image of the Creator. This means that our very lives, our souls, our thoughts, our desires—all of who we are—rightfully belong to God.

By stating, “Give to God what belongs to God,” Jesus was not simply making a secondary point; He was making the primary point. While paying taxes is a duty of earthly citizenship, offering ourselves fully to God is the duty of divine citizenship. Too often, people focus on their civic and social responsibilities while neglecting their spiritual obligations. But Jesus reminds us that our first and highest duty is to the One whose image we bear.

This also confronts us with an important question: Are we truly giving to God what belongs to Him? Are we living in a way that reflects His image? Do our priorities align with His will, or have we given our hearts over to worldly concerns? The Pharisees and Herodians were obsessed with politics and power, but Jesus redirected the conversation toward what really matters—our allegiance to God. His words challenge us to move beyond religious formalities and truly surrender our lives to the One who created us.

Jesus' words challenge us to evaluate not just our financial obligations but the entirety of our devotion. If we are made in God's image, then our lives belong to Him. The question we must ask ourselves is not merely whether we are fulfilling our civic duties, but whether we are truly giving to God what is His. We can apply this simple principle in three areas of our daily lives.

Since we are created in the image of God, our identity should be found in Him rather than in worldly things. Too often, we define ourselves by our careers, achievements, possessions, or social status. However, these things do not ultimately belong to us. We are His workmanship (Ephesians 2:10), and our purpose is to reflect His glory. To render to God what is His means that we must submit our entire being—our thoughts, actions, and desires—to His will.

Just as the denarius bore Caesar’s image, signifying it belonged to him, everything we have—our time, talents, and resources—bears the mark of God's provision. We are stewards, not owners, of the gifts He has given us. Are we using our skills and resources for His kingdom? Are we honoring Him with our finances, not only by giving to the church but by using our money in ways that glorify Him? Colossians 3:23 reminds us, “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.” Every aspect of our lives should be an offering to God.

Jesus' response in Mark 12:17 reminds us that while we live in this world and have earthly responsibilities, our highest priority must always be God. This means that His commandments and His kingdom should shape our decisions, our relationships, and our daily lives. We must ask ourselves: Are we giving our best to God, or are we reserving our time and energy for lesser things? Are we more concerned with politics, wealth, or personal success than we are with growing in faith and serving others? Jesus calls us to realign our priorities, ensuring that we do not merely offer God our leftovers but the very best of ourselves.

When we understand Jesus' statement in its full context, we see that it is about far more than taxation—it is about total surrender. Giving to Caesar may require a coin, but giving to God requires a heart fully devoted to Him. The challenge before us is clear: Will we give God what is rightfully His?

Jesus’ response to the Pharisees and Herodians was not just a clever way to escape their trap—it was a profound call to examine our allegiance. His words force us to ask: Are we giving God what rightfully belongs to Him? The world will always have its demands—governments, responsibilities, and obligations that require our attention. However, our ultimate devotion must belong to God alone. The coin may have borne Caesar’s image, but we bear the image of the Almighty. That means our hearts, our minds, our bodies, and our very lives belong to Him.

It is easy to become consumed with the affairs of this world—politics, finances, personal ambitions—but Jesus reminds us that these are secondary to our responsibility to God. We must be mindful not to give so much of ourselves to earthly concerns that we neglect the One who gave us life. Our first and highest calling is to love and serve the Lord with all that we are.

So today, let us take a moment to reflect. Are we truly surrendering to God what is His? Are we living in a way that reflects His image? If not, let us make a renewed commitment to offer Him our lives—not just in words, but in action. Let us give Him our time, our talents, our worship, and our obedience. The world may ask for what is temporary, but God desires what is eternal—our hearts.

May the Lord strengthen your faith and use it for His glory, as you walk humbly in His presence.