What Is God’s And What Is Ours
Rev. Erik Swanson
October 18, 2026
Taxes are a subject that seems to arise every election cycle. And while everyone has an opinion about them, most people do not love paying them. In Jesus’ time, the question of taxes was more than a financial issue. When the Pharisees asked Jesus whether people should pay taxes to the emperor, they were trying to trap him (Matthew 22:15-22). A yes could alienate religious leaders, while a no could bring the wrath of the Roman authorities. Jesus answered with wisdom, moving beyond the trap and inviting us to consider deeper spiritual truths. I believe this teaching raises three important questions for our lives.
First: How Do We Listen Beneath The Surface?
Jesus recognized the deeper meaning behind the question being asked. I believe we are called to do the same in our relationships and in the world around us. Words do not always communicate what someone truly means, and events often carry deeper messages than we initially recognize. Just as a calm pond conceals a world of life beneath its surface, our lives and our world contain deeper realities that require us to look more closely.
We are often taught to accept things as they appear because doing so feels safer and simpler. However, if we want to recognize the movement of the Spirit, we must be willing to look beyond the status quo, our familiar patterns, and the surface explanations of events. In spiritual direction, we practice listening for deeper longings, invitations, challenges, and meanings. I believe we must cultivate this kind of listening in our daily lives if we hope to discern where God is leading us.
Second: What Belongs To Us, And What Do We Invite God Into?
This question is not simply about money. It concerns our relationships, careers, homes, dreams, and personal struggles. I have found that many people rarely think to invite God into certain areas of their lives. They make decisions without seeking spiritual wisdom or considering how the Spirit might challenge or support them.
We need to become more intentional about opening every part of our lives to God. Practices such as writing down our questions and listening prayerfully for a response can help us deepen this relationship, provided we approach them thoughtfully and seek guidance when needed.
At the same time, we must not use faith as an excuse to avoid responsibility. Saying that God will take care of a problem does not necessarily mean we have no role in addressing it. We must discern what is ours to do and where we need to trust God, avoiding the temptation to use spirituality to bypass our responsibilities.
Third: Which Ways Are We Holding Onto, And Which Are We Willing To Release?
Our world often teaches us to value money, entitlement, power, and social status. It reinforces harmful beliefs about gender, race, economic systems, and who deserves dignity and care. These are among the ways of Caesar that can conflict with the ways of God.
These worldly beliefs also shape how we see ourselves. Some people cannot recognize their own worth because they have internalized demeaning messages. Others cling to an inflated image of themselves and refuse to acknowledge their shortcomings. Both can prevent genuine growth. We must release the beliefs that keep us fearful, limited, or unwilling to change so that we can more fully embrace God's liberating love and become the powerful, humble, compassionate people we were created to be.
Inviting God Into Everything
Ultimately, this teaching challenges me to look deeper, invite God into every aspect of my life, and question the worldly values I have accepted. Am I listening for the Spirit? Am I taking responsibility for my part? Am I willing to release what keeps me from growing?
The ways of Caesar are not the same as the ways of God. My invitation is to render to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God, continually seeking the wisdom, courage, and freedom to live according to the ways of the Spirit. Amen.
Can I get some help with the ways of God and ways of the world?
Helping others, loving others,
Fighting, stealing, poking someone in the eye, pulling someone’s hair,
What’s a good way to help someone?
What’s a good way to show someone love?
What’s a good way to listen to someone?