What is Your Value?

Take a look at the picture of currency from different countries. They are from the United States, Kenya, New Zealand, and Fiji. Notice a couple things about them. First, the money has pictures of well known people on them such as presidents, gold medal winning rugby players, and of course-cool animals. Second, you'll notice two different looking Kenyan schillings. The 200 bill is almost out of circulation so it will have no value and is being replaced by the newer, fancier, cooler looking bill (which is shown by the 500 bill). Third, as awesome as the $7 Fiji bill is-it has no monetary value here in Texas. Likewise the Kenyan schillings have no value here. By the same token (pun intended)-the $2 bill would hold no monetary value outside of the United States. The $2 bill is worth two bucks but I value it more than someone else would because it includes a stamp on it that is the logo of a musician friend of mine. Years ago when I ordered one of his cds he sent the stamped $2 bill in the shipment as a thank you. Now the bill is my favorite bookmark. It begs the question, what is the value of money? It's all in the eye of the beholder. Here's a scripture that helps me understand value.

"Teacher, we know that you are right in what you say and teach, the way of God in accordance with truth. Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?" But he perceived their craftiness and said to them, "Show me the denarius. Whose head and whose title does it bear?" They said, "The emperor's." He said to them, "Then give to the emperor the things that are the emperor's and to God the things that are God's" And they were not able in the presence of the people to trap him by what he said; and being amazed by his answer, they became silent.    ~Luke 20:21-26

When Jesus is questioned about taxes he places value on the money but not much value on it. He recognizes something far more valuable than money. The people are trying to trick him into saying something that can get him arrested. When asked if it is lawful to pay taxes to the emperor (who was viewed as God by some) Jesus seemingly has two ways to respond. If he says yes it is lawful to pay to the emperor then he will lose credibility with his followers because as the son of God why would he be paying someone else who claims to be a God. If he says no it is not lawful then he could be arrested for going against the emperor. So naturally, Jesus cleverly comes up with a third better option. He simply asks whose face is on the coin and they respond by saying "the emperor's." Jesus then says to give the things to the emperor that are the emperor's and give to God the things that are God's. He has cleverly subverted their expectation with his answer and we all learn from it.

But what exactly does he mean when he says give to God what is God's? It's in direct opposition to giving money to the emperor. So what are we to give to God? We are to give ourselves to God. We are to give every fiber of our being to God. God doesn't want us to offer all the money and materialistic things we have, God wants us to offer ourselves and all that we are. And God values each and every person more than anything else and none of us can ever be replaced. Just my read on what Jesus is trying to say here.

Grace & Peace

Kevin