Revelation of the Word:
Revelation of the Word 09/08/2021 Admin
THEME: PAYMENT OF TAX
Matthew 17:24-27
After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma temple tax came to Peter and asked, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?” “Yes, he does,” he replied. When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. “What do you think, Simon?” he asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes—from their own children or from others?” “From others,” Peter answered. “Then the children are exempt,” Jesus said to him. “But so that we may not cause offense, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.”
INSIGHT
-Taxation has been a sensitive matter from the Biblical times. Jews paid taxes both locally to the Jewish temple and to the pagan government in Rome. The annual tax required that every male from the age of 20 years and above should pay temple tax, which was used to maintain the temple. Two-drachma was worth approximately half a shekel which was a two-days wage. Although payment of tax was a requirement according to the temple and royal authority, Jesus displays authority over nature and the governing powers. He instructed Peter to collect four-drachma coins from a fish to show His divinity and control over the universe. Jesus also demonstrated that the believing Jews were absolved from this law, but He did not want to cause offense to authorities, for He would be branded profane and irreligious. It is prime for each one to give a tithe to the house of the Lord, that there may be food in His house, and His blessing will never leave our homes.
PRAYER
Come let us sing for joy to the Lord, let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before Him with thanksgiving and extol Him with music and song. For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods. In His hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to Him. The sea is His, for He made it, and His hands formed the dry land. Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker, for He is our God and we are the people of His pasture, the flock under His care. Come let us worship the Lord of hosts, for only He deserves all the worship and praise. He is the only true God, and all the other gods are made of stone and wood, and cannot hear, nor see, nor come to our aid when we call. Only God is worthy to be worshipped and adored. Only God deserves all our worship and praises. Teach us how to do Your will Holy Spirit. Teach us how to tithe faithfully, that there may food enough in Your house, and Your blessings may overflow in our tents. Teach us how to worship You with the fruit of our labor and make us fruitful in all that we do, for the glory and honor of Your name. Rebuke the devourer on our behalf dear Jesus, and shield us from every snare of the enemy. Guide us Holy Spirit as we begin this new week, and shepherd us according to Your divine purposes. Open new opportunities for us and send destiny connectors to us, that we may be exceedingly prosperous, according to Your divine will. Thank You for paying the price on the cross, our behalf dear Jesus, all glory and honor belongs to You. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us now and forever more. Amen
Blessed Week
Further reading: Exodus 30:13-16, 2 Chronicles 24:9, Malachi 3:10
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