Is Giving to Caeser a license to Bribe?

Scriptures in the synoptic gospel book of Mark 12:17 says "render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's". This was Jesus' response to the Pharisees and the Herodians when they tried to tempt him. The Statement simply means give what belongs to others to them.

Since time immemorial, the act of giving to others freely without the expectation of getting anything in return has been considered honorable and a noble trait. Generousity isn’t something just limited to giving money but even giving attention, honour, energy and love is considered to be forms of generousity. Smiling at someone, taking the time out of a busy schedule to help out, giving a compliment; these are all acts that may, at first glance, appear trivial, yet they are all instances of one of the greatest assets we have like human beings – the ability to transform ourselves, and those around us, through the act of giving.

We often say that respect is reciprocal and so is giving in any aspect of our lives. You may not get it from the direct recipient of that action (giving) but in the long run, you will get it back. Mark 12:41-44 talks about the widow who gave just two small copper coins into the temple treasury while others who were rich put in large amounts. Jesus celebrated the widow’s sacrificial attitude and pointed out that she had given more than all the others because it was all she had to live on. It was all she was able to give. 

“Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD your God which He has given you.” (Deuteronomy 16:17) It is easy to believe at times that we have nothing to offer, whether finances, time or talents. The story of the widow clearly shows us that the blessings God has given us, no matter how small they might seem, when given back in faith, reveal the condition of our heart towards God.

“Then the people rejoiced because they had offered so willingly, for they made their offering to the Lord with a whole heart, and King David also rejoiced greatly.”( 1 Chronicles 29:9) When we give, our hearts are transformed in the process. In the blessing of giving, we grow in our relationship with God. We become people of partisan gratitude while inviting honors into the blessing of others through our attitude.  

Having said all these, let's talk about giving of honors. I was not clapping when they introduced the guest speaker, and my mom  was like "if you don't clap, when it gets to your turn people won't clap for you too" I didn't get it at first but I get it now. What you give to others, that's what's will be given to you in return. "Give honor our to whom is it due" is as simple as that.

There is one principle in the Bible that doesn't care if you are a Christian or not, and that is the principle of giving, the Bible says "give and it shall be given to you..." As long as you obey that principle you will get the returns.

Yes it is more blessed to give than to receive, but we should be mindful of how we give, you might give the whole world and still get nothing back from God. The intention behind your giving is the most essential thing. The intention should always be to create happiness for both the giver, and the receiver, and when the intentions are the right ones it creates a pattern of happiness, joy, trust and love in your life beyond what you could ever expect.

 

(2 Corinthians  9:7) Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.