Matthew 17:24-27;22:15, Mark 12; Luke 20, Jesus said, Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, to God what belongs to God. The Biblical accounts of Gospels in Capernaum said tax collectors of two drachma temple tax asked Peter if Jesus pays tax, he said He does. If Jesus paid taxes then what did Jesus teach His disciples? Matthew records two taxes Jesus paid in Matthew 17:24-27; 22:15-22 temple tax and tax to government in Rome. People asked Jesus: “Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar?” It was a ploy to set a trap for Jesus. But He saw through their attempt to manipulate Him and falsely accuse Him of asking people not to pay. 
So obliged to pay the tax, Jesus paid His taxes with the coin from the mouth of a fish Peter caught. Tax collector cornered Peter and asked if Jesus paid the temple tax. Later in Matthew 17:2427 Jesus said to Peter at home, “Simon, does the kings collect taxes from their own children or from other people? Peter answered the others. And Jesus replied we don’t want to cause trouble go cast a net in the lake and the first fish you catch open mouth, and you will find a coin. Use coin to pay your taxes and mine.” Take it and give them for my tax and yours.”
Jesus told the Pharisees and Herodians to give to Caesar things belong to Caesar in Mark 12. The issue is controversial as people disagree on how the government spends money. Some people feel angry because their needs are not met though they pay tax. The Bible example of Jesus to pay taxes again in Gospel of Matthew Mark and Luke are other account of the Pharisees trying to trap Jesus to find the reason to accuse him. In Matthew 22:15-22 Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap Jesus to use His words against Him.:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/RomanTaxes1700x1200-56a1469a5f9b58b7d0bdba5c.jpg)
Pharisees disciples with Herodians said “Teacher,” they said, “we know you are sincere so teach the way of God in truth. You are not influenced by men. Tell us, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” Jesus, knowing their evil intention said, “You hypocrites why are you trying to trap me? Show a coin for paying tax.” They brought him a denarius and He asked them, “Whose head inscription?” They said, “Caesar’s. Then He said to them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God belongs to God.” When they heard this, they were amazed so they left him and went away.
If Jesus refused to pay or He condemned Caesar they will accuse Jesus of inciting rebellion. People had no choice but to pay as Jesus also did. And Zachaeus a tax collector climbed a tree to see Jesus passing by. Impressed Jesus dined in his home during meal he decided to restore money he extorted by collecting taxes in Mark 2:13-17. In Psalm 24:1, The earth is the LORD’S and everything in it but life requires money to function, pay staff, provide services, resources, processing, printing costs, transporting goods. And maintaining the structures and repairs restoration, regeneration, grounds and gardens etc. Too numerous to list costs of services provided by the nations. Amazon, Google, Wealthy Offshore accounts do not pay tax proportionately fairly like others.
Jesus and His disciples voluntarily gave to the Temple tax and state to set a good example. Taxes paid directly to local tax collectors who decided what people pay. Tax collectors paid by charging people more to earn money. Levi, the apostle was the customs official in Capernaum taxed imports and exports as he liked. The Jews hated him because he worked for Rome and betrayed his countrymen. Zacchaeus was a chief tax collector for the Jericho district notorious for taxes changed meeting Jesus of Nazareth.
People are saying the tax exemption for Churches are unfair making mega rich pastors super wealthy multimillionaires Church members struggle to pay bills, food, mortgage, health insurance, fees or basic necessities of life. Private jets, mansions get bigger, fleet of cars longer but members poor. Its a major source of tension rich multi billionaires are state sponsored in extravagant lifestyles. Schools reduce hours, hospitals cut staff budget reduced. The churches use tithe, offerings, donations, for salaries wages, cost of projects, feed orphans, help poor under the radar, homeless, HIV, disaster flood victims, TV ministry, preaching, teaching Gospel Message of Jesus Christ, Evangelism etc. among wonderful work of God. Admission fee puts people off so first time Benny Hinn was at NEC entry was free. Thousands turned up with no room for overflow solved crowd control next visit with ticket admission. Only a few people turned up venue was almost empty. God said nobody must enter HIS Presence empty handed so Jesus talked about the widow’s mite even poor give. In Exodus 23:15 God said, no one shall appear before ME empty-handed. Also in Exodus 34:20 God said no one must appear before ME empty-handed. Again in Deuteronomy 16:16 God said do not appear before the LORD empty-handed.
Gap between the rich and poor widens causing hunger and the stress, pressure, unemployment, lack, in deprived areas. No resources for disadvantaged so most public servants cannot get on the home ownership ladder. Many depend on the food banks despite their hard work and education. Zero hour job wastes time of trained staff without job or income. And the popular highly influential Christian leaders spew wrong ideas as ‘Christian Ideas.’ Don’t be misled…Study the bible yourself to know the truth of the Word of Christ. Read Bible as JesusFollowers and Christian’s. Some think Churches must follow Jesus’ example to provide fairly for the least in society too. So gap between rich and poor widens as many continue to suffer daily, starve and die in the most advance developed wealthy countries. Unfortunately a Class divide disproportionately allocate lion share to themselves as the world watches them flaunt it in their faces daily. 1 Timothy 6:10 says the LOVE of money is the root of all evil. Craving more money is cause of all evil in doing so wander from true faith so pierce themselves with sorrow.
A Christian family is fined taxes saying it is against God’s will to pay taxes. The Christian family refused to pay income tax because its “against God’s will” but are ordered to pay more than A$2m tax (£1.1m $1.4m) to Australia’s tax office. It is Christian debate Rembertus Cornelis Beerepoot and Fanny Alida Beerepoot of Tasmania do not pay income tax since 2011 as their religious right. Their farm was seized and sold by a local council in 2017 for not paying seven years of tax rates. Ms Beerepoot told the court: “We don’t own anything because it is God’s.” The siblings represented themselves in Supreme Court of Tasmania Wednesday, after did not pay $930,000 in income tax or other charges in 2017 ABC News said.
Rembertus Cornelis Beerepoot (left) and Fanny Alida Beerepoot (far right) seen here outside the court in Tasmania. Mr Beerepoot argued the law of God is the “supreme law of this land” and making people pay tax weakens dependency on God, leading to “curses… in the form of droughts and infertility.” “Transferring allegiance from God to Commonwealth means rebelling against God breaking first commandment,” he said, according to the public broadcaster. In judgement, Associate Justice Stephen Holt said he believed Beerepoots’ belief is genuine but there is no reference in Bible to support their argument said, “In my view Bible said civil matters and law of God two different spheres.” So siblings ordered to pay sums of – Ms Beerepoot A$1.17m and Mr Beereport A$1.16m to cover income tax, administrative penalties, interest charges” and costs in court documents. Do you agree with these views? The church provides for the poor marginalised in society, homeless people and medical care. They use resources to print Church materials, Bibles, maintain Church buildings, costs of running premises, pay staff, TV programs and other costs. Is it fair to target Churches to let off trillionaires boasting about how much profit they make but hide it in offshore accounts and tax free havens pretending to have no money? Jesus told a rich young man go sell all your riches to help the poor and come follow me. God’s resources are more than enough to provide for all 8 billion people on earth with surplus if fairly shared and distributed.
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For me ‘to live is Christ’ Philippians 1:21 is central focus of the Christian life. This statement points directly to Christ at the heart of the Gospel Message to Churches in Christ. To be like Jesus all through life journey from earth to Glory was Paul’s encouragement to the believers is, focus more on Jesus. First and foremost, “First Love” Christ in Revelations 2:4-5 says be “hot” in Christ for first love of Christian is Love is First for Christ. Our love must be expressed with passion actively seen as living sermon with personal intimate relationship with God in Christ Jesus. In Christ we live, move and have our being as Acts 
So set apart for God as a peculiar people saved by God’s Grace desperately need Saviour as anchor of hope secured only to Christ Master Captain of our life ship. Good success, spiritually or emotionally and physically requires a complete faith in God. Trust Jesus is with us always to end of the age as citizens of heaven, in the world but not of the world. So Paul preached the SACRIFICE of Jesus’ Blood to save people from all walks and ranks of life. Encourages us, “To live is Christ” by imitating Example of Christ, to do as Jesus did. Christian believers are to be like Jesus like Paul did, the Church is to follow the Godly Example of Jesus. 
Paul followed the Example of Christ in 1 Corinthians 11:1 shares Gospel Message of Jesus in living history to save people in the Kingdom of God. So “To live is Christ” is the daily pursue knowledge of Christ to get to know Christ better as a personal Friend. To understand Christ and know POWER of Resurrection of Christ in our heart as the focus of our goals and desires. Love of Christ is at center of our mind, heart, body and soul to live for Christ’s Glory. Christ is more precious, priceless, worth more than gold, silver, ruby, diamonds. Fixing our eyes on Christ is above all the things to run the race to win the prize to lay aside the entangling sin and worldly distractions. To fix eyes on Christ Jesus in Hebrews 12:1-2 means our life makes things of the world grow strangely dim.
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God RESTORES lost souls says Psalm 23.3-4 and Galatians 6:1 says brothers and sisters if someone sins you who are SPIRITUAL RESTORE person and show them faults in PRIVATE. If they listen, you won your brother. 2 Thessalonians 3:15 says do not treat them as enemy but help them as brother in Christ, ‘just as if’ they never sinned. GOD LOVES sinners but hates sin. 1 Timothy 5:20 says if they continue in sin rebuke them in the presence of all, so the rest will be fearful to sin. Public rebuke is often first used without the private restoration to instill fear in others shames them. Does not lead to genuine repentance, causes chaos, divides the Church members into sympathisers or opponent antagonists. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, “All Scripture is inspired by God, profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, training in righteousness; so the man of God is adequately equipped for every GOOD WORK. Acts 20:28 states, “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock for the Holy Spirit made you overseers to shepherd the Church of God purchased with Jesus’ BLOOD. James 1:19, beloved brethren be quick to hear slow to speak slow to anger, no critical comments to stir up hatred to flare evil negative emotions. Godly restoration of wrong for reconciliation is hard but the hardest part is forgiving yourself and all others who wrong you or you wronged them. Whether victim or perpetrator, or right or wrong both needs God’s Mercy, Grace to forgive to receive forgiveness. God said you forgive to be forgiven by God. So leave your gifts at the altar and resolve conflict before you enter God’s HOLY PRESENCE HIS Sanctuary through BLOOD OF JESUS. OUR LORD GOD & SAVIOUR ARE PURE IN HEART so pure in heart shall see God. Psalm 51:10 says, create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. And Lamentations 5:21 says, Restore us to yourself, O LORD so we may be restored Renew our days as of old we loved and honoured you. Lamentations 3:40 says it is your conscience that helps to test and examine our ways to return to the Lord. Acts 3:19 says, Repent and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the LORD. Jeremiah 3:66 The LORD said if like days of king Josiah you backslided as Israel did on high mountain or under green trees played the harlot God says HE WILL FORGIVE if you repent. Time for the whole church, individuals and in your private prayer closet. Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, “There is a time for everything and a time for talking, silence, joy, grief, tears, love and hate under heaven.” And 1 John 1:19 says, “If we confess our sins, God faithfully forgives sins to purify us from all unrighteousness.” If you are busy minding other’s sins, God says in Matthew 26:41, Watch and pray so you will not fall into same temptations you accuse others of. So spirit is willing but the flesh is weak but Jesus said if you are weak you are strong through Holy Spirit. Ask God’s forgiveness and repent in Jesus Name. Bow down at the feet of Lord Jesus Christ as a humble vessel so GOD will forgive you. And get Spiritual mentor to guide you to quality of Christ not focus on speck in other’s eyes, says Matthew 7:3. And Psalm 145:14 says The LORD upholds all who fall and lifts up all bowed down. All who overcome will be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out their name from the Book of Life, I will confess their names before My FATHER God and before HIS angels says Revelation 3:4-5. Praise Jesus Christ our Lord, and Saviour. “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen. Accept Jesus Christ Who gave His Life on Cross at Calvary, to receive Forgiveness freely available through His ULTIMATE SACRIFICE to Come into your life to live in your heart to be your KING, Lord and Saviour.
And from this day not be controlled by sin or desire to please self but follow Jesus all the days of your life. Ask this in Jesus’ precious Holy Name, Amen. In Matthew 18:15-17, Bible says if refuses to LISTEN take one, two-three people with you so BY MOUTH OF TWO, THREE WITNESSES to CONFIRM action but if still refuses to listen, tell Church. And if refuses to listen to the Church let them be Gentile or tax collector to you. The Bible verses help Church members or their leaders clearly to guide people using God’s right procedure. Know God wants restoration in Church to help to ensure Jesus is at centre of a restoration process. Bible’s approach is opportunity for people to take initiative to seek help for those who miss the mark. A person suffering secretly in sin struggles and to keep up with effects of sin damage their lives and those involved. Some may play games with people’s emotions in denial but deep down in their heart crying out for help. It takes courage to open up and seek help and forgiveness of those they offended. Damage done affects so many people causing others to lose the faith in God. Its painful, sad, shocking believers confess of falling into sin. What do you do when a beloved brother or sister in Christ makes wrong choice to fall in sin? First direct them to pray and ask God’s forgiveness to repent and make effort to actively stop the sin. Abraham restored Lot his fallen nephew in Genesis 14:1-24 when he and Sarah left Haran to travel to Canaan in Genesis 12.4. Abraham’s nephew Lot chose to take risks in a war zone among enemies to stay behind. Abraham rescued Lot in time when Amraphel a king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Kedorlaomer the king of Elam and 
Titus 3:10-11, reject them and run away like Joseph after first, second warning if person is bent on sin self-condemns. In 1 Corinthians 5:11, ‘I wrote to you not to associate with immoral person covetous or idolater, reviler, drunkard, swindler do not eat with them. In 2 Romans 13 : 4, if a minister of God to you is good but some do evil, be afraid; for they do not bear sword for nothing; for a minister of God is avenger who brings wrath on the ones who practice evil.In 1 Timothy 1:20 Hymenaeus and Alexander handed over to satan to be afflicted and taught not to blaspheme. Their flesh tormented by satan forces them to seek God’s Face to deliver their souls. In 1 Corinthians 5:5 some believers deliver to satan for destruction of flesh, so the spirit may be saved in day of the Lord Jesus. Romans 16:17 urges brethren to keep eyes on all those who cause divisions, hindrances contrary to teachings learnt and turn away from them. In Galatians 6:1 those Spiritual are to restore sinner in SPIRIT of GENTLENESS so you too will not be tempted. The Righteous fall 7 times but God lifts them up. Jesus said forgive 70 x 70 time = 490 times per day not be bitter and revengeful but leaving judgement to God the GREATEST ‘ Judge and Avenger.’ If they commit atrocities as God’s Children and sin against God the ALMIGHTY God deals with them for all Powers and Authority in Heaven and Earth is given to Lord Jesus Christ and Saviour the rightful judge to restore the backslider. Remember the story of King David, a friend of God punished by God after adultery with Uriah’s wife tried to cover his sins transferred innocent man Uriah to war front killed in battle. God is Righteous and David was punished for his wickedness. God gave David 2 two options for his punishment to choose. a) God wants to hand him to enemies to be punished b) God punish him HIMSELF. David chose God to inflict punishment for ‘man is cruel and wicked’ but God is compassionate and merciful so restored David. Man will totally and completely will destroy everything about him is a lesson for all to learn in Church. It is God’s BUSINESS so leave it for God. The man of God and sinners disobeys God’s Word so that is God’s exclusive domain. Judas betrayed Christ, but it did not affect His Ministry. Ministers of God and apostles in many Churches of God commit sin in House of God but it does not affect God in those Churches. People out of frustration and lack of patience, deny God to backslide but still God gives them another chance. In Jeremiah 3:14, “Return, O backsliding children” says The LORD; “I AM married to you. I will take you. One from a city and two from a family and bring you to Zion.” Human make mistakes so like all open to Forgiveness and Restoration by God Himself. Encourage, pray, believe God for restoration. Stress pressurizes people of God to seek relief in a secular way but leave them to God’s judgement. Pray the LORD’s wrath on detractors is cancelled for the unity of Church of God in Jesus Name, Ephesians 4:4-7 says as one body and Spirit, called in one hope of your calling; one LORD, one faith, one baptism: one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all and in you all. To each one grace is given according to measure of Christ’s gift.” These words of God in Jesus Name, Amen, Jesus said, “all those without sin cast the first stone as Jesus told woman caught in adultery, so given second chance to go and sin no more. The man involved her accusers pardoned so left her alone, reminded of their own sinful natures by Jesus Christ. Does it mean this woman can count on Jesus’ forgiveness to repeat sinful action because of guaranteed mercy of God? Of course not Bible says because the Grace of God abounds is not licence to sin. The years of ignorance God forgives because unaware of consequences. A deliberate sin commited and excused by qouting Roman 8:38-39 that nothing separates a believer from God is the willful offence used to manipulate naive Christians to engage in sin. “For I am persuaded that death, life, angels, principalities, powers or things present, things to come, height depth or another creature can separate us from the LOVE of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. So verse is twisted to convince believer God forgives no matter the sin of killing, stealing or destructions due to lust. Joseph refused to “sin against God” but punished for his honesty, loyalty to God and his master Portipher. A person who does not get their evil way harasses the one strong in the LORD who refuses to sin with them like Portipher’s wife lied about Joseph who run from sin. The person blackmails a victim, withdraws all favour, isolates them to stop others defeating them too. Be careful when a person is victimised for standing up for Christ in righteousness. The perpetrator puts them down like Joseph for refusing an evil request for doing the right thing. Its better to Obey and please God rather than join a man to use and abuse you. It may cost you material possessions and reputation but God will supply all your needs from Glory in heaven. Joseph’s is a great example of God rewarding and promoting Joseph who was harassed by his siblings in the family. Though Joseph suffered God honoured him to save the world from the 7 years famine in Egypt. 
The woman caught in adultery is sent to seek God’s punishment but found Grace, Mercy for forgiveness Jesus forgave her. The self-righteous condemned her to death but Bible says confess your sins to God and cover all other people’s sins. It does not mean condoning but is none of your business if you witnessed it. Spreading negative rumours DEFILES the innocent mind and distract Gospel. The devil uses gossip to stop receiving deliverance. It takes two tango so those scorned and embittered but didn’t walk away repent. Some went back for more abuse, play victim to attack, spread hatred. Bible says, what is true and of GOOD REPORT think on these things. For evil reports, fast privately on behalf to INTERCEDE with Jesus the INTERCESSOR in heaven. Gossipers will not enter kingdom of God for the sin of defiling minds of others to cause them to depart from the faith. Gossip is as evil as murder, adultery etc. Corinthians 6:9-10 says, backbiters, gossips, slanderers, will not inherit THE KINGDOM OF GOD. Unless they REPENT will be shut out of the KINGDOM of HEAVEN. Let God deal with sin for the greater the calling the bigger the target of satan’s attacks. And despite God’s punishment the Covenant continues through Jesus to sit on throne of King David. God’s Mercy is for people who humble themselves God Forgives. King Solomon’s mother was married to King David after her husband Uriah was killed. Despite sin God chose Solomon to build HIM a Temple in Jerusalem. Don’t sin putting your mouth against people who sin against God the CREATOR and people being destroyed by perpetrators. Who appoint you judge of God’s people? They face Spiritual attack so cover them in prayer and by the Blood of Jesus. And 1 Corinthians 6.9-10 says its duty to God is to pray for mercy but NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS to spread such gossip online, by phone, email, texts or verbally to do more damage to them and yourself. The metoo# movement is global so sleeping with wo/men/girls has become common phenomenon in Church, homes, schools, offices, shrines, Bible college, seminary villages all locations, clubs etc. Angels in heaven fell down and slept with women on earth to produce the giant nephilims. Perfect people do not exist on earth but strive for perfection by God’s Grace. Its crucial Children of God abstain from all sins in the Body of Christ in the Church of God to have good success by God’s Grace in Jesus Name. Such a common occurrence of prevalent drives Church to seek God’s Face more. Church general overseers snatch other’s wives and the paedophile priests falls like the secular people. Church has heard or known all problems in society everywhere but it is the Grace of God that sustains Churches. As David fell and rose again in the Bible so challenge of sin with thoughts, sight or body, is a weakness for everyone to overcome. Have you overcome yours, whether in pulpit or pew? Revealing or advertising sin committed in secret seen by God is non of your business. Pray for all to overcome weaknesses and grow in Jesus Christ. The Church grows because Jesus said, gates of hell will not prevail against it in Jesus Name. A Church often condemned thrives, so attack favour the ministry accused, persecuted or suffers name calling harassment. God is behind the Church despite continued rumours and attacks used to try to cause damage to stop good success. Seek God yourself so Jesus will save, heal and deliver you for Eternal life of your soul not perish. It is endtimes and Jesus is Coming soon in Rapture so Gossip GOSPEL to win souls in Jesus Name for God’s KINGDOM to come on a perfect earth.
GOD'S HOTSPOT 