“Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
Matthew 22:21
In His brilliant response to the Pharisees about the lawfulness of paying taxes to Caesar, Jesus used the term “Caesar” in the broad sense of government (see Matthew 22:15–221). Other New Testament passages provide further explanation of the roles of government and the Christian’s responsibilities to that government. Because the missionary becomes to some degree a citizen of two worlds, understanding biblical responsibilities to government is imperative.
Numerous passages inform our understanding of Caesar and what is due him, but we will focus only on some major ones. Jesus’ answer, as quoted above, in context clearly acknowledges the right of government to collect taxes. In Romans 13:1–7, the Apostle Paul elaborates further, referring to government leaders as “governing authorities … instituted by God,” as “rulers” who are a “terror” to bad conduct, and as “the servant of God” who “carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer” (13:1–4). Paul continues by stating that paying various taxes and other government fees is right: “Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed” (13:7). Peter reiterates these requirements: “Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good” (1 Peter 2:13–14). Ironically, Peter himself had already dealt with the other option—a situation where obedience to officials was impossible. At those times, with all humility, candor, and courage, the Christian must follow the example of Peter and the other apostles. When told to stop teaching and preaching about Christ, they concluded: “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).
The biblical stipulations noted above guide us in praying for missionaries. All believers have God’s mandate to submit to the governing authorities and to support the government through the various taxes, customs, and toll charges. However, unlike the ordinary citizen, the missionary has a dual challenge. He will likely be the citizen of one country but resident of another. So here are some suggestions on how we should pray for missionaries as they try to render unto two “Caesars” their due.
- Pray for the missionary to have minimal difficulty in navigating his dual responsibilities. The complexities of dealing with taxes, visas, and local laws (and lawlessness) can be highly frustrating and time consuming.
- Pray for the missionary to have wisdom to know the difference between local laws and local corruption such as bribery.
- Pray for open doors to enter closed countries. Ask the Lord to move the governing authorities to allow Christian activity.
- Pray for those serving in Restricted Access Nations as they obey God rather than men in getting the everlasting Gospel to those sitting in darkness.
1 Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations in this article are taken from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), Copyright © 2008 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.