Render unto Caesar: Thoughts to consider this Tax Day | Greg Asimakoupoulos

Published 11:45 am Monday, April 13, 2026

My wife’s late uncle was a Canadian treasure. Bill Reid was a Haida carver considered by many to be the foremost native artist in Canada. He was married to my mother-in-law’s oldest sister and, although they divorced, his only child is my wife’s first cousin.

Bill Reid died in 1998. Six years later the Canadian government printed a $20 bill graced by Reid’s iconic Haida Gwaii sculpture that adorns the Canadian Embassy in Washington, D.C. In 2020, Canada honored Reid’s memory by minting their $2 coin (commonly called a toonie) engraved with one of his recognizable Haida masks.

I thought about Bill Reid’s images featured on Canadian currency when I found myself contemplating an episode in the life of Jesus dealing with a Roman coin. Back in the first century the coin of the empire was engraved with the face of the emperor. It was a way of celebrating Caesar’s reign and reminding the citizenry of Rome who was in charge.

Troubled by his growing popularity and fearing his potential influence, Jesus’ critics attempted to corner him politically. They asked him “Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not? Should we pay or shouldn’t we?”

Jesus was wise to their motives. He knew they were trying to trap him. In an effort to expose them, he asked that a Roman coin be brought to him. Upon looking at it, he asked whose image was on the money. When his critics replied that it was Caesar’s likeness, he emphatically said, “Render to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.”

Reading the crowd and recognizing the importance of honoring governmental obligations as well as submitting to the authority of our Higher Power, Jesus delicately danced his way out of a potential confrontation. For him, honoring God was not mutually exclusive with honoring societal norms. Seeking first the Kingdom of God did not excuse people of faith from paying what civil authorities demanded.

What was true in the first century is true in the twenty-first century. We who are followers of Jesus are citizens of two kingdoms and as such have a responsibility to pay our dues in both realms. In the case of our secular society, we benefit from government agencies that are funded by our taxes. Perhaps that is something we should consider this Tax Day. Our freedoms and liberties are protected by lawmakers, the military and government officials whose income is derived from what we contribute out of our income.

As responsible citizens we are expected to be available for jury service. That is how we do our part in meting out justice. We are also expected to participate in elections. Voting is one of the primary ingredients in maintaining a democracy and protecting our religious liberties. And because we live in a republic that protects our right to practice the faith of our choice, we recognize our responsibility to honor our Creator as we seek to follow His commands. The separation of church and state offers us the freedom to pursue the values and norms as revealed in Holy Scriptures.

Because ours is not a Christian nation per se, there is bound to be pushback from those who do not share our worldview. And in the increasingly divided landscape that characterizes our country, we’d do well not to expect what is not realistic. We should not be surprised when Biblical guidelines are not embraced by the majority. And we should not attempt to wrap the cross in the American flag. They are two separate entities.

And speaking of money. Although our currency does affirm our trust in God, me thinks that an antiquated dictum rather than a present-day reality for most people. All the same, that does not overly concern me. As Jesus observed a very long time ago, his followers are citizens of two realms. Each realm has its requirements.

And as long as we are determined to be respectful and honorable in “rendering to Caesar that which is his due,” our trust in God and our submission to His rule need not be the norm to be noticed. In fact, our trust in God may be all the more noticeable when our rendering to God is more the exception than the rule.

Guest columnist Greg Asimakoupoulos is a former chaplain at Covenant Living at the Shores in Mercer Island.