Whatever you’re feeling about your local or national government, Jesus has something to say to you.

Jesus was approached by both Pharisees and Herodians for the purpose of trapping him. Herodians (of the party of Herod) were the party of the establishment and therefore encouraged paying taxes. The Pharisees did not like taxes but begrudgingly went along. The Zealots openly opposed paying taxes to Rome and called on people not to. (Jesus clearly distances himself from the Zealots in his answer.)

“’Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not’ But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, ‘You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? Show me the coin used for paying the tax.’ They brought him a denarius, and he asked them, ‘Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?’” (Matthew 22:18-20).

He calls them hypocrites and they demonstrate this when they show him a coin with Caesar’s picture on it. The coin itself was considered sinful by the Jews. It bore a “graven image” of Tiberius Caesar. The inscription read in Latin, “Tiberius Caesar, son of the divine Augustus” and on the other side, “High Priest.” This coin proclaimed blasphemy, that Caesar was divine and that he was the High Priest. Though it broke the first two commandments according to their own interpretation, they were perfectly willing to use Caesar’s money. They hated the taxes but enjoyed the benefits Caesar provided. (Note: Jesus is the one who actually deserves those titles - "Son of God" and "High Priest".)

Tiberius was an evil man and paying taxes was not merely unpopular but opposed by many as immoral. Yet Jesus said, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s.” Jesus was teaching that the earthly government has areas that they are responsible for and so we submit, even to a government we don’t like.

Tiberius was really evil by the way. (Read that link at your own risk.) With the exception of certain South American and Middle Eastern countries, your head of state has nothing on Tiberius. Here's more info on the man that Jesus said people should pay taxes to.

In Jesus’ day the only way the people could change a government was through revolt or revolution. We should thank God for the founding fathers. Because of their brilliance and foresight, in America we can make changes without bloodshed. We can vote rulers out. We can speak freely.

Paul took advantage of the legal rights granted him as a Roman citizen. But he still gave honor and respect to those in authority, even when they were immoral. We also should take advantage of all the legal rights we have as American citizens, but do so with respect and civility.

Rulers have authority delegated to them by God. Remember, this is just your temporary country. If you are a Christian, then your permanent citizenship is in heaven.

Jesus said to give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's. This statement is so profound. Being a citizen of the kingdom, means being a good citizen of earthly governments. But don't for a minute forget that God's rule is more important. And when we pray that God's will be done on earth as it is in heaven, that should mean far more than what laws are being passed in the legislature.

So in summary, be a good citizen and obey the law. Fight for what is right using all the legal means accessible to you. But remember that victories in the political and earthly sphere are merely temporary. We have been called to build the Kingdom of God, which is far better than any earthly state. Above all remember that God is in charge and it is from him that ultimate authority flows and to him that ultimate allegiance is owed. God “changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them” (Daniel 2:21).