Twenty-Second Pentecost, Proper 24, 2005: 

     A rather nervous taxpayer was unhappily conversing with the IRS tax auditor who was reviewing his records.  Ever time the auditor flipped a page the man would groan loudly.  At one point the auditor said, “Sir, we at the IRS feel it is a great privilege to be allowed to live and work in the USA.  As a citizen you have an obligation to pay taxes and we expect you to eagerly pay them with a smile.”

     “Thank goodness,” the taxpayer said with a giant grin from ear to ear, “I thought you were going to want me to pay with cash!”

      I have always thought the Standing Liturgical Commission may have missed the boat by not assigning this Gospel about paying taxes closer to April 15^th.  But, like in so many other areas of our common life, they did not consult me.

     Life and money, church and state, religion and politics, and oil and water are generally thought to be subjects that should not occupy the same space at the same time.  It is appropriate, however, that today’s Gospel is appointed to be read in light of the fact that we will soon face state and local elections and that later this week you will receive a stewardship letter signed by me, Frank West, Chair of the Stewardship Committee, and Cauthorn Walker, Vestry Liaison to the Stewardship Committee.  It will simply remind us all of the needs of the parish in continuing the work to which we believe God has called us.

     The incident reported by Matthew comes in the life of Jesus at a time when the pressures from the religious hierarchy had gotten more and more testy.  From this interaction between Jesus and Pharisees and Herodians we may learn some things as we meet for worship, as we contemplate political affairs, and pray about meeting the financial needs of this parish.

     The first thing is that the state appears to be a reality ordained by God.  People willingly bind themselves together in what Rousseau called the “social contract.”  Without the state and the laws enacted by the state life would be chaotic.  God has never liked chaos and good order is at least one of the realities God decreed from the beginning of creation. 

     We cannot live together well unless we agree on the need for law, since our fallen nature means we do not always do the just and proper thing, especially when left to our own devices.  Without the state there would be many services none of us could enjoy or count on.  Few people are wealthy enough to provide for themselves all the services necessary to live well in society.  Obviously, the conservative versus liberal debate centers around the argument concerning what kind and how many services the state can or should provide and what can and should be done by individuals or free enterprise.  But, no thinking person questions the need for the state.  We do need the occasional reminder that law is not intended to set the highest common denominator, but rather sets the least we can do and still keep from breaking up into warring factions.

     I would also want to say that participation in the political process, being informed on issues, and voting one’s conscience is a Christian’s personal responsibility.  Being of liberal or conservative persuasion, registered Republican or Democrat, and contributing to political causes are not things that determine one Christian faith, any more than they define ones patriotism. 

     The second thing that appears to be the case from this encounter between Jesus and the Pharisees and Herodians is that one cannot accept the benefits that the state provides and opt out of all responsibility for the state’s continuing wellbeing.

     There is a fine line between personal freedoms and the collective will of the people expressed via the laws of the state.  The state, through the judiciary, will arbitrate such matters and point out the benefits and personal responsibility.  Most people willingly lay claim to the benefits the state provides, but fewer appear ready to take a commensurate degree of responsibility.  If the recent past is any indication, around 50% of citizens eligible to vote in the upcoming election will bother to do so.  Please understand; those who do not bother to vote at the polling places are in fact voting.  That vote is basically cast for chaos.  Such folks are saying by their actions that they may well expect the benefits provided by the state, but do not accept any of the responsibilities.  It amounts to a vote for anarchy.  It is interesting that many of the same folks who do not bother to vote also don’t bother to go to church.  When seen in its proper perspective one’s faith should lead one to be a better citizen.  It is as true today as ever; the greatest threat to democracy is not some outside “ism” but that our citizens become so apathetic that we lose, through atrophy and indifference, what we love most.

     There is no doubt that the state sometimes passes laws that are not particularly good ones.  Working through the democratic process, laws can be repealed, updated, and changed.  The framers of the founding documents of this nation never intended them to be static, but updated to reflect the changes in society and new learning that might come from using our brains. 

     Finally, this interaction between Jesus and the Pharisees and Herodians expresses the limit ultimately imposed should the claims of the state be contrary to God’s law.  We have been made in the image and likeness of God.  We belong to God in the ultimate sense of the word.  It is an inevitable conclusion that if the state remains within its proper boundaries and makes reasonable demands, we must give the state our loyalty and service.  But, in reality and in the final analysis both state and individual belong to God.  Therefore, should the claims of the state and the claims of God conflict, loyalty to God always comes first.

     One of the best reasons that can be given for why Christians should participate in the political process is precisely in order for the demands of the state and the expectations of God will not be in conflict.  It is as true today as ever; we get the kind of government we allow and the only thing necessary for evil and corruption to occur in high places is for good people to do nothing. 

     If your faith does not inform and determine your politics this it is not Jesus the Christ whom you worship.  It your faith in that same Jesus the Christ does not inform and determine the nature of your giving then I would suggest you have some soul-searching to do.

     At the early service we present our alms at the altar, I make the sign of the cross over the plates and we say, “All things come of thee, O Lord, and of thine own have we given thee.”  At the 10:30 service we sing, “Praise God from whom all blessings flow.”  Do we mean it or are we guilty of committing mass perjury?

     If we mean it we will not see any conflict in giving to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and giving to God the things that are God’s.  My prayer for all of us in this place is that we remember the next time we look in the mirror that the reflection we see in the mirror has the image and likeness of God impressed upon it.  That is what we do when a person is baptized and the oil is anointed on the forehead with the words, “You are sealed by the Holy Spirit in baptism and marked as Christ’s own forever.”  We say it every Sunday as a part of the Prayer of Consecration…”and here, O Lord, we present unto Thee ourselves; our souls and bodies, to be a reasonable and holy sacrifice unto thee.”  That’s what we are to give to God.  When we present that to God, all else will follow.  Amen.