After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma temple tax came to Peter and asked, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?” “Yes, he does,” he replied. When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. “What do you think, Simon?” he asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes—from their own children or from others?” “From others,” Peter answered. “Then the children are exempt,” Jesus said to him. “But so that we may not cause offense, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.” - Matthew 17:24-27

Dear Jesus, I usually think of taxes as something I have to pay, but you show me in the same way you showed Peter that you give me what I need to pay my taxes in this world. Since I know you will provide for my tax bill, help me to live free from worry or the begrudging spirit that makes me despise government, so I can be positive and glow with the hope that comes from being in your kingdom. Thank you for the deeply flawed government you have given me as an American. It is my government as a gift from you, warts and all! And finally, if you can pull a coin from a fish for your friend Peter, I trust you can find money from wild places to help me in my needs from now until I step into heaven. So, I will live in peace and freedom. AMEN

If Jesus will use a fish to give a dollar to a friend, anticipate some wild stories in your own life about his provisions.

Additional Readings: Deuteronomy 8:1-5, Luke 5:1-11, Romans 13:1-7, 2 Corinthians 9:6-15