Then the Pharisees went and plotted how to entangle him in his words. And they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are true and teach the way of God truthfully, and you do not care about anyone’s opinion, for you are not swayed by appearances. Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why put me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the coin for the tax.” And they brought him a denarius. And Jesus said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said, “Caesar’s.” Then he said to them, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” When they heard it, they marveled. And they left him and went away. (Matthew 22:15–22)The Pharisees were more concerned about trapping Jesus yet they gave Him opportunity to make a point. Money is not about this life. The Bible also says that loving it is the root of all evil.
I’m reminded that my ‘stuff’ falls into the same category. In the past few weeks I found myself reminding several friends that we cannot take our earthly possessions with us when we die, particularly money. This is true of all material possessions. By the grace of God we get to use them while we are here, but He is in charge of what we have. I’m only a steward and responsible for what I do with it.
The next passage is also about earthly issues vs. what is ours after death and in the resurrection:
The same day Sadducees came to him, who say that there is no resurrection, and they asked him a question, saying, “Teacher, Moses said, ‘If a man dies having no children, his brother must marry the widow and raise up offspring for his brother.’ Now there were seven brothers among us. The first married and died, and having no offspring left his wife to his brother. So too the second and third, down to the seventh. After them all, the woman died. In the resurrection, therefore, of the seven, whose wife will she be? For they all had her.” But Jesus answered them, “You are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. And as for the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was said to you by God: ‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not God of the dead, but of the living.” And when the crowd heard it, they were astonished at his teaching. (Matthew 22:23–33)I had a long talk with a dear relative who is in a cult. His wife just died after years of suffering and in a wheelchair. He is comforting himself that when he dies, they will be together again. At this point, reminding him of the above truths was not appropriate. However, we did agree that God has kept us largely in the dark concerning the nature of eternity.
Comparing these two thoughts means we do not take our current relationships with us either. Those with money will not be bulging at the pockets. Those with fancy clothes, cars, and other possession will not need them. And those married more than once do not have to wonder who their spouse will be for eternity. God’s plan covers all those issues.
Lord Jesus, Your church is Your bride. We will be fully united to You. All our needs will be covered even as they are covered here. Whether we spend eternity here on a renewed earth or somewhere else, heaven is not just a place but about being in Your presence with no more sorrows or tears, and all needs fully met. It is seeing You face to face with a deep realization of who You are and what You have done. For now, help me keep the difference between here and now sorted out from there and forever.