Sherry Sterling

Dear friends,

We’ve entered tax season, and I’ve been preparing mine.

Numbers are not my thing, but I can get in the groove of making order out of the information. And I like to understand the behind-the-scenes calculations, how the schedules and worksheets come up with the numbers on the final form. I’ll even look up IRS rules and regs, to work out my questions.

Maybe it’s the geek in me (yes, I liked school), or the part of me that is interested in what’s hidden (I am a psychotherapist, after all). But the bottom line is—how much do I owe?

Jesus was asked about taxes—should we pay or not?

The religious and political leaders of the day were attempting to trap him, again. Jesus’ people were ruled by an invader, and they were expected to pay a tax as subjects of those in power.

If he said yes, pay the taxes, he would be seen as supporting the political oppression; if he said no, don’t pay the taxes, he would be seen as siding with those who wanted revolution.

His answer? “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s” (Mark 12:17).

He did not support oppression. He did not incite revolution. He reminded us to obey the laws of the land where we find ourselves, and not forget who and whose we are. We can do both.

When you write your check to the government for taxes, or await your refund, I invite you to join me in considering the dual citizenship we have as Christians—both as law-abiding citizens of the land, and grace-granted children of God.

Peace and love,

—Sherry