"Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and unto God the things that are God’s." Jesus had been asked a question about whether or not a Jew could pay the taxes demanded by the occupying Roman government and remain a member in good standing of God’s People. This was not an honest question. It was put to Jesus by his enemies. If he said "No," the Roman authorities would have made short work of him. If he said "Yes," the Roman-despising populace would turn on him and maybe even stone him. So, Jesus gave what sounds like an evasive answer.
Yet, Jesus was doing more than giving a clever answer to a life-endangering question. Even so, Christians have long understood that Jesus was indicating how he thought his followers should live out their discipleship in relation to the state. Jesus didn’t lay rigid rules. He gave us a framework and direction. Jesus held up a silver coin used to pay the tax, "Whose image and whose name do you see on this coin?" He asked them. "Caesar’s," they said. Might Jesus have been implying a follow-up question? "And Whose image and Name do you bear?" "God’s," would have to be their answer. If the coin is Caesar’s and therefore it is lawful to give it back to Caesar; then, must we not give to God what belongs to God? "The money belongs to Caesar. You belong to God."
In the days and months ahead, in the midst of war, economic uncertainty, and arguably the most important election in a generation, Jesus’ words take on greater import. Jesus’ words call us to live and practice both our faith and our politics with integrity and faithfulness. Jesus is not giving us an either-or choice. We best render unto Caesar when we render unto God by living out, according to, and practicing Jesus’ Kingdom agenda that God’s Will be done on earth, as it is done in heaven, as described in the Sermon on the Mount. If we live with faithfulness and integrity as Christians, we will be rendering unto both God and Caesar.