Taxes And Tolls

"When they came to Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax went up to Peter and said, 'Does your teacher not pay the tax?' He said, 'Yes.' And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, 'What do you think, Simon? From whom do kings of the earth take toll or tax? From their sons or from others?' And when he said, 'From others,' Jesus said to him, 'Then the sons are free. However, not to give offense to them, go to the sea and cast a hook and take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth you will find a shekel. Take that and give it to them for me and for yourself.' " - Matthew 17:24-27 ESV

Tolls and taxes. Entry fees and money that is owed because of a law that is passed that says so. Sons are not required to pay into their family in God's enconomy but God asks us to pay in for Him to the taxes and tolls of our lands. Interesting.

He sent a special provision to Peter so He could pay that tax.

This is a good passage to keep in mind when we think people, organizations or governments want to much from us with to little in return. We are not just paying for us. We are paying for Him also.

There is a balance to this. We don't just buckle under every burden. There is a time and a place for making waves so that change can come but I look at this passage and it helps me endure.

I'm so glad that in God's kingdom we are sons. He doesn't exact tolls that we must pay to go here or there. He doesn't tax us. We are free from that. There are many families that do toll and tax. God isn't like that.

Thank you God.

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