The Lord responded to the Pharisees and to the Herodians, “Render to Caesar things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.” This response is given to the Herodians for they pay their taxes with a coin which carried upon it the name and image of Caesar. To the Pharisees He is pointing out that they bear upon themself the name and image of another.
The people of Israel would wear a a four cornered garment with a blue cord. It is the purpose of this cord to remind the wearer that they are “Holy to the Lord.” The people of Israel were set apart to be a chosen people who had been claimed by Him. They were not just living as a good examples to others because God desired that they would be His treasured possession.
Instead of remembering that they were the treasured possession of God they began to live for the world. The Lord’s response points the way back to the garment that they were wearing and what it reminded them of. The very fact that they were the treasured possession of God. We must also be reminded of this lesson. We are something more to God then the money and possessions that we have. We are called upon to be in the world, but not of the world. As the Book of Romans instructs, “Do not conform yourselves to this age.”
The Church does not teach us that we cannot have any interaction with the world. Instead as people of faith we are called upon to practice and perfect that virtue of temperance. It is temperance which provides balance in the use of all created things. When we practice the virtue of temperance we remember that we are called upon to give to God what is God’s in order that we may not be overcome with worldly attachment.
As people of faith we should strive for the “middle way.” We are called towards moderation in order that we will not let created goods damage our relationship to God and to others. When one constantly builds up the amassment of worldly luxuries they forget that they are called upon to be a treasured possession of God because they live for that luxury over relationship with Him.
How are we being called upon to better practice the virtue of temperance? Let us remember that we are a valued possession of God and thus allow our life on this earth to be a reflection of such. By entering into this relationship we are sent forth in a true spirit of charity where we care not only for the luxuries of this earth, but for God and love of one another as a reflection of this love.
Let us “Render to Caesar things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.”
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