Rendering Unto Caesar, Reluctantly

RENDER UNTO CAESAR are among the most interesting words ever spoken by Jesus Christ, and among the least discussed, the least sermonized, least understood, least appreciated. In capitalistic, profit seeking, anti tax America, "render unto Caesar", if too often recited, becomes inconvenient. Our American Christian churches are filled with pro capitalist, anti socialist conservatives. "Render Unto Caesar" cannot possibly be among their favorite words of Jesus. American conservative Christians believe in lower taxes to increase personal profit, not "render unto Caesar". Hence, the words are largely ignored. Like everything else Jesus said, you can put these words into any context you wish, or no context at all, or you can twist it any way you like, and the message is still the same: pay your taxes. Redistribute the wealth. Behave socialistically, for the purpose of helping others, not enriching yourself. Its that simple. And he didn't say anything about organizing politically to reduce taxes, or joining the Taxed Enough Already TEA party. Are there any wild guesses as to what Christ would prefer Caesar spend his tax revenue on? Would it be weapons for the military, or programs to aid the poor? Would Jesus be a proponent of trickle down Reaganomics, wheres taxes are reduced on the wealthy, and military spending is increased, and social spending is reduced - or would he favor transferring wealth from the rich to the poor? As we approach the holiday season, brothers and sisters, fellow American, conservative Christians, may we hold in our hearts the words of Jesus Christ, which, in all truth, are not the words of corporate capitalism or the economic policies of the very conservative Republican party.