✝ Daily Encouragement (4/16/24) "Of Fish And Taxes"
Published: Tue, 04/16/24
A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber.
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"Of Fish And Taxes"
Message
summary:
Jesus
makes a fish provide a four-drachma coin, the exact amount of silver coin needed, to pay the temple tax. This miracle reminds the disciples that He is indeed the all-powerful Son of God who controls all creation, including a single
fish.
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"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" (Matthew 17:27). "Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes" (Romans 13:7). Catching fish and stories related to those who made a living from it were common in the gospels. Several of the disciples were fishermen; in fact, some of the great teachings and miracles of Jesus took place out on the lake or on a nearby shore. Jesus connected with the disciples and their livelihood by calling them out to be "fishers of men". There's even a great fishing story that took place between Christ's resurrection and His ascension. Today's text indicates that Jesus paid taxes while He was on earth. Consider this reality: the Maker and Master of the universe was subjected to paying taxes just like we are. In this case it was the religious temple tax. But Jesus forthrightly taught, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Mark 12:17). Today's account is an unexplained miracle. We're not told how the first fish Peter caught would just happen to have the required tax amount stored in its mouth, an amount adequate to pay both Peter's and Jesus' tax. It's that way with a lot of miracles. There's just no human explanation which is the definition of supernatural; forces or events that cannot be explained by science. Since we serve a miracle-working God, who is constantly working in the supernatural, I believe it. Paul writes, "For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him" (Colossians 1:16). The apostle John writes concerning Christ, "All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made" (John 1:3). Instead of reaching deep into His pocket or pulling out His wallet Jesus uses a fish to provide a four-drachma coin, the exact amount of silver coin needed to pay the temple tax. This miracle reminds the disciples and us that He is indeed the all-powerful Son of God who controls all creation, including a single fish. Here in the United States we are mindful of taxes especially now. After all, yesterday (April 15) was the last day to file our tax returns for 2024. How many of you waited till the last minute? Wouldn't you like to see the miracle of the fish repeated for all your taxes? Just get a fishing license (which is a type of tax), cast your line, and get the exact amount you need from the first fish you catch! If that works let me know; I might just purchase a fishing license. But in the meantime hear Paul's simple command: "Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes" (Romans 13:7).
Be encouraged
today,
Hebrews
3:13
Stephen & Brooksyne
Weber
Daily
prayer:
Father, our citizenship here on earth brings about numerous responsibilities, including that of paying taxes. As citizens of Your eternal kingdom, some of the ungodly causes our taxes help support is a troublesome challenge to our spirit so we address that through prayer and proper action at the voting booths, where we can run for office or vote for officials most aligned with our biblical convictions. Once again, this tax
season, we will dutifully pay our taxes as we render unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s in keeping with our duties as citizens. Amen.
Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental
Resources
"There Is One Gospel"
Watch on YouTube CityAlight
Yesterday I noticed a bird was building a nest on top of a fan under our
gazebo which is directly above where we eat. I had to remove the partially completed nest and hope she can find a more suitable location.
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Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
717-823-0592
Daily Encouragement Net
https://www.dailyencouragement.net
Mail service provider is aweber.com
495 Kraybill Church Rd
Mount Joy PA 17552
USA
Unsubscribe | Change Subscriber Options