Give Honor Where It Is Due Introduction: We have families, friends, neighbors and a whole network of relationships. Relationships exist at every point -and how we interact and respond within these relationships are affected by how much or little value we place on them. There was a couple, who sent their only child overseas for an education, in the hope of a better life upon his graduation. Upon graduation, instead of returning to Singapore, he chose to settle down in the foreign country. So the aging parents are left to look after themselves. People react differently to this story. Some feel its ok for the son to choose the way he wanted to lead his life. Others thought it wrong to leave his parents behind. Despite the opinions of others, the true responsibility lies on the graduate son and the degree of honor the son gave to his parents. In schools, teachers find it a challenge to teach these days, because teacher-students relationships just aren't the same anymore. Teachers can be treated as friend or foe, and if you're a friend - students are more likely to be cooperative and responsive in class. If you're a foe and targeted for elimination - then chances are the class wouldn't really pay attention to you or do as you say. What is the honor that is due to the teacher? I should think it comes in the form of students turning up on time for class, paying attention, and doing their homework. Likewise, honor due to students (elaborate) In the workplace, our attitude is the biggest factor that affects productivity. This is the attitude of the worker and that of the boss. If you're a worker with a positive attitude, you would usually enjoy the work you do. You'd go to work on time, spend those 8-9 hours at work productively, and not using work time to do your own stuff. In the same way, good supervisor will be able to motivate, inspire, encourage and reward good performance. When boss and worker give honor to one another where it is due, productivity is likely to increase. The Word of God is filled with examples of incidents of how problems arise when people don't give one another honor where it is due. Cain did not give due honor to God in the offering he brought before God, and he also allowed anger and jealousy to rob him of his ability to give due honor and love to his own brother Abel, even to the extent of murder. Joseph's brothers sold him for 20 shekels of silver - it was only years later that they honored Joseph with what was due him. Body: Matthew 22:15-22. Earlier on, upon Jesus' entry into the Temple, the religious authorities approached Jesus to question His authority and found that they got more than they bargained for. Parables upon parables told by Jesus seemed to address them and placed them in bad light. Having had their authority undermined, the Pharisees looked for ways to arrest Jesus, but they were afraid of the crowd because the people looked up to Jesus as a prophet. The Pharisees were not going to give Jesus the honor that was due him. 15Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words. 16They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. "Teacher," they said, "we know you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren't swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are. 17Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?" 18But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, "You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? 19Show me the coin used for paying the tax." They brought him a denarius, 20and he asked them, "Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?" 21"Caesar's," they replied. Then he said to them, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's." 22When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away. In the passage, the Pharisees came to Jesus with a trap question, "Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?" The question itself was a cunning one because either a "yes" or a "no" could be used against Jesus. Such a question does nothing to give Jesus the honor that is due him. It's like during an election campaign. The potential candidate does all he can to impress the crowds with promises of his good service, and assures the public that he will remain true and faithful to the task to which he is called. Then someone goes up to the microphone and asks him, "So have you stopped beating your wife?" Whether he says "yes" or "no" he won't find himself in the good books of the voters. Emperor Tiberius was reigning at the time. The tax was specifically levied on all Jews and paying poll tax was the most obvious sign of submission to Rome. The denarius would have had the image of Tiberius' face on one side and his throne on the other. The inscription on the coin identified him as the high priest. The coinage then was not only political, but also religious in significance. During that time, resistance movements protested against the paying of the poll tax. The Zealots claimed the poll tax was a God-dishonoring sign of slavery to the Roman pagans. To say "yes" and approve of Roman taxation was to come out openly against this resistance movement that enjoyed strong popular support. This would discredit Jesus among the people. But to say "no" could be used to accuse Jesus of treason. Jesus saw through the evil intent of his questioners, and he was not about to be trapped. Jesus' answer was plain and simple: Look! Caesar's face and name are on the coins. They are his coins. So honor Caesar with what's due him - what properly belongs to him, his coins. In 6 words, Jesus lays down clearly the basis for the proper relationship of his people to government. Paying taxes is not an act of worship, but an act of civil obedience. Give honor to the authorities where it is due, and in this sense, pay the taxes. The Word of God is absolute and clear on this instruction, yesterday, today and always. This teaching is repeated by Paul in Romans 13:5-7 5Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. 6This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. 7Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. Jesus' answer rejected the resistive position against Rome, for the kingdom of God was not going to be established through violence and resistance. But to give the authorities honor that is due them. Jesus did not stop at the statement, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's". Instead, He went on to say, "…and to God what is God's". Jesus' answer also emphasized man's greater obligation to God. To give back to God what belongs to Him. What belongs to God? Essentially everything in this world is His creation, including us, who are made in His image. We belong to God, together with all His creation. As Jesus will say towards the end of this very chapter in Matthew: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment" (Matt. 22:37). We are given the mandate to tend the earth and look after everything that is in it. We render to God our very selves in obedience and service. This includes everything we do, the roles we perform in our daily lives. There is no division into 'secular' and 'religious' segments. In all we do and in our interactions with one another, each of us ought to give honor where it is due to another. Children, give honor that is due to your parents. Fulfill your duties as children by submitting to them willingly, providing for them and caring for them as they age. Workers, give due honor to your bosses by doing a just day's work. Whatever you do, work at it all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men (Col 3:23). Students, give due honor to your teachers by paying attention in class and doing your work. As citizens of this country, we give due honor to our government by paying our taxes and not participating in rebellious activities. We are to be subject to rulers and authorities We honor God with our first fruits, by paying our tithes. Serve the Lord in his world. Conclude: 1 Peter 2:17 Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king

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