Money and Sea

Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go you to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first comes up; and when you have opened his mouth, you shall find a piece of money: that take, and give to them for me and you. (Matthew 17:27)

While sitting on the beach at St Kitts, I reflected on this Scripture which reminds me that even the sea can give you money when you have an obligation to render. Yet, this Scripture unfolds the process of obligations from the Jewish tradition of paying the Temple tax from patrons. When Peter entered the city of Capernaum, he was approached by tax collectors who questioned if his master plans to pay the usual temple tax. Evidently, Peter agreed to pay this tax because the conversation with the Savior revealed a question alluding to the tradition of paying taxes.     

…And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, what thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers? Matthew 17:25 KJV

This dialogue makes a very important point about obligations. The obligator who obligates a payee must reflect on the benefits of the obligations to receive payment. So when the Savior questioned Peter, who has already obligated the payment of taxes for his master, responded with a favorable answer to satisfy his obligation. The Savior's question inquired for whom pay the king, his subjects or his children. This question allows you to resonate on the benefits instead of the payment of the obligation. Benefits constrain you toward honoring the obligation. For instance, as subjects of the king, you will receive benefits from the kings’ realm such as protection and security both physical and economical when transaction business within the kingdom. So the Savior reminded Peter who should pay taxes - the ones who will benefit from the payment while implying that the children are the recipients of the taxes. Of course, the ones who will benefit the most should pay the taxes. Today, we constantly face similar obligations when the obligator requests payment of an obligation even when the payee realizes only limited benefits exist. 

Yet, the Savior encouraged the payment of Peter's obligation just to avoid offending the tax collectors even though He is LORD over the Temple. How many times the Savior will rescue a believer who makes poor choices with everyday transactions? How often do you here this comment reflecting poor choices, “if you make your bed hard you must lie in that bed.”  However, the Savior provided a different response to Peter‘s choice to pay the Temple tax. The Savior's direction to Peter is as follows:

”..go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first. And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them for Me and you.” Matthew 17:27 NKJV

Realize that even the Savior who is LORD of the Temple submitted to the same obligations as others and willingly made provision to pay this tax. Likewise, when we make poor choices, the Savior always create opportunities to honor our obligations. Don’t renege on your obligation which will cause offense. Yet, when you honor your obligations like Peter, you will become amazed how your common lively hood can create more that you can imagine. Peter’s skill set of fishing enabled him to catch the right fish, receive the right coin which was enough to pay the Temple taxes. The lesson learned from money and sea reminds me that instead of waiting for money to come from other means, look within my common skill set for opportunities to fulfill my obligations