3 passages

Luke 20

20 Watching for their opportunity, the leaders sent spies pretending to be honest men.

They tried to get Jesus to say something that could be reported to the Roman governor so he would arrest Jesus.

21 "Teacher," they said, "we know that you speak and teach what is right and are not influenced by what others think.

You teach the way of God truthfully.

22 Now tell us—is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?"

23 He saw through their trickery and said,

24 "Show me a Roman coin. Whose picture and title are stamped on it?"

"Caesar's," they replied.

25 "Well then," he said, "give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar,

and give to God what belongs to God."

So, what does this say about paying taxes today?

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2 Timothy 3

1 You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times.

2For people will love only themselves and their money.

They will be boastful and proud,

scoffing at God,

disobedient to their parents,

and ungrateful.

They will consider nothing sacred.

3 They will be unloving and unforgiving;

they will slander others and have no self-control.

They will be cruel and hate what is good.

4 They will betray their friends,

be reckless,

be puffed up with pride,

and love pleasure rather than God.

5 They will act religious,

but they will reject the power that could make them godly.

Stay away from people like that!

Hmmmmmmm...

Sounds an awful lot like today's world.

I'm not one to be constantly talking about the end times – I believe in what Jesus said – that only God the Father knows when it's all going to come to a head.

But you have to admit, the things Paul says here in his last letter to Timothy sound awful familiar when we look at our day to day world.

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This is again Paul, writing last instructions to his son in the faith, Timothy...

2 Timothy 3

14 But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught.

You know they are true,

for you know you can trust those who taught you.

15 You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood,

and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus.

16 All Scripture is inspired by God

and is useful to teach us what is true

and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives.

It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.

17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times...

Read the Bible, every day, without fail.