Let’s Flip a Coin

Gospel / Matthew 22:15-21

The Pharisees went off and plotted how they might entrap Jesus in speech. They sent their disciples to him, with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are a truthful man and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. And you are not concerned with anyone’s opinion, for you do not regard a person’s status. Tell us, then, what is your opinion: Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?” Knowing their malice, Jesus said, “Why are you testing me, you hypocrites? Show me the coin that pays the census tax.” Then they handed him the Roman coin. He said to them, “Whose image is this and whose inscription?” They replied, “Caesar’s.” At that he said to them, “Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.”

Weekly Blog

Flipping a coin is a popular option in making an unbiased decision on an “either-or” situation.  We all have used it at one time or another.  And, the biggest TV event of the year (and possibly the world), the Super Bowl, implores its use annually to decide who “gets the ball first”.  In Jesus’ time, it didn’t matter much to Him on “who” was on the coin.  His focus was more on what was in someone’s heart around the purpose and Gift of the coin.  2,000+ years later, it’s no different to Him.  But, our Founding Fathers gave us a Gift on every single coin “minted” by the U.S. Mint.  The words are “In God We Trust”.  It’s the same on our paper currency.  The earthly value of our currency is less important to Him than its Eternal value.  At the end of the day, its God’s money and He lends it to us to be good stewards.  Much like the parable of the 10 talents (see below), God gives to us generously and, as we grow in our capabilities to be responsible, he gives us even more Gifts to be even greater stewards over.  But, this isn’t just a “money” thing – it’s a “Gift” thing.  We are “Gifted” uniquely by God and, like snowflakes, we are all uniquely-Designed by Him.  Even identical twins have differences.  We are called to “learn” our Gifts and look to grow those Gifts in ourselves, as well as in others.  Rather than focus on the “Caesar” or “Abe Lincoln” on the Gift, let’s strengthen each other through the Holy Spirit to focus on Him in the Gift.  And, ““If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” James 1:5

Matthew 25:14-30

“For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money. Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’”