GIVE TO CEASAR. GIVE TO GOD. Did Jesus Promote a Dualistic View of Life?

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Some people claim that life is divided into two compartments: the secular and the spiritual. According to this view, secular matters—such as social issues, government, business, and entertainment—must be kept separate from spiritual or religious matters like God, faith, the Bible, church activities, and evangelism. Because these are seen as different “boxes,” they say we cannot mix them—for example, we shouldn’t apply biblical principles to politics. This dualistic outlook is often based on Jesus’ words: “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.” If Jesus Himself separated what belongs to Caesar (the “secular”) from what belongs to God (the “spiritual”), shouldn’t we do the same?

Today, let’s challenge that idea.

GIVE TO CAESAR

Religious leaders approached Jesus with a loaded question: “Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” (Matt. 22:15–22; also Mark 12:13–17; Luke 20:20–26). Everyone knew this was a trap. The Jews despised paying taxes to Rome, their occupying power. Many even tried to avoid the specific coin used for the tax—the denarius—because it bore the image and name of Emperor Tiberius Caesar (reigned A.D. 14–37). Since Roman emperors claimed to be divine, conservative Jews saw paying taxes with this coin as recognizing the emperor as a god—an act of blasphemy. Some would rather die than hand over that coin.

Jesus understood the trap. If He said paying taxes was wrong, He could be accused of inciting rebellion. If He said it was right, He would look like a traitor to His people. Instead, He asked for a coin and replied with brilliant simplicity: “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”

GIVE TO GOD

Jesus exposed the false dilemma. Why choose one when you can and must do both? For Him, fulfilling your civic duty of paying taxes does not cancel your ultimate duty to God. The key lies in the second command: “Give to God what belongs to God.”

And what belongs to God? Everything. “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it” (Psalm 24:1)—including every earthly authority. Whether Rome acknowledged Him or not, Caesar himself was under God’s rule. What else belongs to God? All people. In the ancient world, an object bearing someone’s image was understood to belong to that person. The coin clearly belonged to Caesar because it carried his image. Likewise, every human being bears the image of God (Genesis 1:27) and therefore belongs to Him. The Jews immediately grasped the force of Jesus’ point; they were amazed and silenced. To oppose His words would be to deny God’s sovereignty over everything and everyone.

NO DIVIDE BETWEEN “SECULAR” AND “SPIRITUAL”

Far from splitting life into two separate spheres, Jesus affirmed that even so-called “secular” responsibilities—like paying taxes—are part of God’s agenda. Paul echoes this truth: “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established” (Romans 13:1). Our interaction with earthly government is ultimately an expression of our submission to God.

There is no real divide between secular and spiritual, temporal and eternal. Everything we do is a matter of faith. Because we belong wholly to God, our Christian convictions should shape every area of life: politics and social issues, work ethic and career choices, business dealings and personal relationships—even our social-media habits. God cannot be confined to the “box” of church activities. Everything belongs to Him, and He deserves nothing less. Stay Curious.

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