20 So they watched him and sent spies who pretended to be honest, in order to trap him by what he said, so as to hand him over to the jurisdiction and authority of the governor. 21So they asked him, ‘Teacher, we know that you are right in what you say and teach, and you show deference to no one, but teach the way of God in accordance with truth. 22Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?’ 23But he perceived their craftiness and said to them, 24‘Show me a denarius. Whose head and whose title does it bear?’ They said, ‘The emperor’s.’ 25He said to them, ‘Then give to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.’ 26And they were not able in the presence of the people to trap him by what he said; and being amazed by his answer, they became silent.

Mark Twain once attended a church service where an appeal was given for funds to evangelize in a foreign country.

Mark Twain wrote, “After the preacher spoke for 10 minutes describing the need, I wanted to give $50.00.  The preacher kept on for another 15 minutes, and that gave me time to realize that $50.00 was too much, so I cut the amount in half.  At the end of another 10 minutes, I had reduced the amount to $5.00. 

At the end of an hour of speaking, the offering plates were finally passed…And I was so upset I reached in and helped myself to a quarter!”

It is stewardship season at RHPC….and no, I won’t be speaking for an hour! We are “Planting the seeds of faith and reaping the joys of giving.

During the training for Interim Ministry we discussed Peter Steinke’s list of the most common triggers of anxiety in congregations. Here are the top ten anxiety triggers for churches:

1. MONEY
2. TYPE OF WORSHIP
3. ISSUES INVOLVING SEX / SEXUALITY
4. PASTOR’S LEADERSHIP STYLE
5. OLD vs. NEW
6. GROWTH / SURVIVAL
7. STAFF CONFLICT
8. RESIGNATION OF STAFF MEMBER
9. INTERNAL OR EXTERNAL FOCUS
10. MAJOR TRANSITION (LIKE A BUILDING PROGRAM)

It is Stewardship season… is a time of transition for RHPC. Yes, there have been some “triggers of anxiety” here. Perhaps more than usual for a congregation.

So, is this year’s Pledge Sunday more important than other years? I have a two-fold response:

1. Remember, we are always called to faithfully respond to God, in every place, in every way. Every year is important!

1. Yes, this is a pivotal time for RHPC. In the letter from the Stewardship Committee it speaks about maintaining and improving the standards of church life here. It will cost more. This is a crucial year.

 You have probably already made your decision about your pledge—of course it’s never too late to increase it—and I’m not going to speak for an hour, so you won’t have to take a quarter out of the plate!

In the Gospel reading this morning, we find the religious leaders trying to entrap Jesus. “Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor or not?”

If Jesus approves the tax he is offending the Jewish nationalists. The tax could only be paid in the coin of the realm which had an image of Tiberius Caesar and an inscription to the Roman ruler which was considered blasphemous by many Jews.

But to disapprove the tax would be treasonous to Rome.  Jesus will not be caught in the trap!  When Jesus responds he causes his listeners to stop and think. 

It’s always a good thing to think, to reflect, and to meditate on Jesus’ words.  Jesus is not teaching the separation of church and state, but rather emphasizing the point that the message of the Kingdom of God encompasses all of life!

Whose “image” is on the coin? Caesar’s! Yes, taxes belong to “Caesar.” Better pay them. But the things rendered to the state or nation are done so in the context of all life being lived to the glory of God.

Since we ourselves are created in the image of God, imprinted with God’s likeness even as the coin was imprinted with Caesar’s, so do we belong to God and must give ourselves and what we are and have back to God. (Adapted from Peter Gomes’ sermon: Stewardship: Time, Talent & Treasure.)

Loyalty to God is indeed in a different category than loyalty to “Caesar.” Loyalty to God is our highest duty…given out of response to God’s love in Christ for us.1

We know the answer to the question, “What belongs to God?” 

Everything belongs to God. Every breath we take is a gift from God.  

The pledge we make is an act of saying to God, “Here is my life, use it for your honor and glory in and through this gathering of believers we call Rolling Hills Presbyterian Church

Acknowledging that, we know every life situation is different:

• People can invest hard-earned money in a sure-fire investment and watch it evaporate.
• Perhaps unemployment has dried up life savings and there is a daily struggle for financial stability.
• A family crisis or health situation may seem overwhelming.
• OR, for some, this may the best time ever, as far as finances and material resources.

No matter what our life situations are like, we are called to trust and faithfulness and we are called to bear one another’s burdens.

This congregation is facing some big challenges.  You have faced big challenges before. 

Here’s what I’d like us to consider when we bring our pledges and offerings to the table this morning:

• That we would pledge ourselves to create an atmosphere of faith, hope and love at RHPC
• That we would pledge ourselves to good communication within the life of the church.
• That we would pledge ourselves to continue using our gifts in serving & ministering to others.
• That we would pledge ourselves to be agents of reconciliation. We are all called to be wounded healers. We need each other.
• That we would pledge ourselves to focus on the positive aspects of the church’s life – there are so many.

We pledge ourselves, ultimately, above all these things to God, because God has first come to us in our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ.

And finally, as an ordained Presbyterian minister, I want to say to you as a Presbyterian congregation, “Thank you.”  Thank you for what you already given, already sacrificed, already committed yourself to. Thank you for being here in worship. Thank you for serving others.

What belongs to God? Everything.

We belong to God.

Thanks be to God.

1 The New Interpreter’s Bible, Vol. VIII, M. Eugene Boring.