Peter and the Coin Fish

Peter and the Coin Fish – Should Christians Pay Taxes?

Bible Lessons about Peter from Matthew 17:24-27

Peter and the Coin FishShould we pay taxes?

This is a question asked of Jesus by Peter in Capernaum.

Every Jewish man was required to pay a tribute but Christ was a king after all (kings weren’t required to pay tax.).

Find out whether or not Christians should pay tax in this Bible study lesson from Matthew.

A Matter of Paying Tax – Peter Opens a Fish’s Mouth and Finds a Coin

When they came to Capernaum, those who collected the two-drachma tax came to Peter and said, “Does your teacher not pay the two-drachma tax?”

He *said, “Yes.” And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth collect customs or poll-tax, from their sons or from strangers?”

When Peter said, “From strangers,” Jesus said to him, “Then the sons are exempt.

However, so that we do not offend them, go to the sea and throw in a hook, and take the first fish that comes up; and when you open its mouth, you will find a shekel.

Take that and give it to them for you and Me.” – Matthew 17:24-27 NASB

The Story of Peter, The Coin, and The Fish – Temple Tax

The money owed, and spoken of here, was a temple tax which had to be paid by all Jewish males of the day.

Since Jesus came as a man, He too was subject to paying the same tariffs and tributes.

Did Christ really owe any tax?

No, but He paid them to satisfy those who did not understand who He was.

Our Active Role in God’s Plan

Peter also had to pay tribute, and Jesus supplied the money by performing a really odd miracle. But Peter did have to participate to get it by catching the fish.

You see, God freely gives us salvation through our belief in Jesus Christ but He wants us to take an active part in His plan as well.

I remember an old joke about faith. It goes something like this …

A man was caught on his roof after a heavy rain and following flood. He was desperate to be saved from slipping off the roof and drowning.

Along came a rescue boat. The men in the boat tried to coax the man off the roof but he said to them; “No, God will save me.

Later, another boat came along. “I’ll wait. God is going to save me.

Then, along comes a helicopter. The loud speaker burst out. “We’ve come to rescue you.

We’ll lower a cable to pull you up to safety.”

I’m okay.” said the man on the roof. “I’m praying that God will get me down from here.

The helicopter left and the man was alone.

After several hours with the water rising higher and higher, the man cried out; “God, I’ve prayed and prayed; Why haven’t you saved me?”

He heard a voice from heaven say;

I offered .. I sent you two boats and a helicopter!

God Saves Through Grace – But Expects Us to Contribute

Everything we have, or ever will have, comes to us from God.

But, He wants us to do some of the work to make things happen. I wonder while writing this, what have I done for God today? What have you done?

Should Christians Pay Tax?

[easyazon_image align=”left” height=”160″ identifier=”0849922402″ locale=”US” src=”https://makingchristknown.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/417S9tAXvL.SL160.jpg” tag=”bobpardphot-20″ width=”98″]Oh, the tax issue you ask? Well yes, we have to pay taxes to our government to take care of expenses because it is the law of the land – and because of loyalty to our country.

But our first loyalty should always be to Christ.

The government can give us services and keep our country running smoothly (sometimes), but Jesus offers us the gift of eternal life.

‘Nuff said!

Love in Christ

– Bob

If you would like to discover more about how to receive the love and life-changing experience of Jesus Christ, please take a moment to read John 3:16.

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