Look Take an American coin, and you will see images of American presidents (Lincoln, Jefferson, Franklin Roosevelt,

Washington and Kennedy) Then you will see the phrase, IN GOD WE TRUST, and also the word, LIBERTY. On the two most recent dollar coins, the images are of famous American women: Susan B. Anthony, a leader in the battle to get women the right to vote: and Sacajawea, the Shoshone who helped guide the Lewis and Clark expedition. From the inscriptions on these coins, it would seem that as Americans we value a higher power on whom we depend, and whom we trust to bless us. We also seem to value highly our freedom, or ability to make our own decisions. Our coins symbolize the wealth with which we have been blessed, and the great freedom which that wealth makes possible.
1. Do you see the two inscriptions on our coins, IN GOD WE TRUST and

LIBERTY as complementary to each other? Or do you see some contradictions between the two? Book: Matthew 22:15-22 The supporters of Herod support paying taxes to Rome because they help support Caesars puppet king, Herod. The Pharisees oppose payment of taxes because the coin has an image of the Roman Emperor Tiberius, and refers to him as divine. But they agree in wanting Jesus out of the way. If Jesus opposes the payment of the tax, the Herodians can accuse him of sedition against Roman authority. If he doesnt, then the Pharisees will accuse him of idolatry, and of collaborating with Roman oppression. When they immediately produce a denarion at Jesus request, they are shown to be hypocrites. Jesus then basically says, If Caesar wants all these images of him so badly, give them to him. Jesus then calls on his fellow Jews to show more concern for those human beings made in Gods image (Genesis 1:27). 1. Do you think Jesus is advising his fellow Jews to never challenge Caesars authority? Took It might seem neat and tidy to say that the Church should restrict itself to purely pastoral affairs and stay out of political issues. But the coins we use every day are a statement by our government about the claim it places on Gods blessing of our economy. And what we spend those coins on is a statement of what we most value. If the Government of the United States is going to say that it trusts God, then the Church has the authority to examine the Governments use of that trust.
1. What does your spending say about your values and your trust in God?

Matthew 22:15-22 Common English Bible (CEB) 15 Then the Pharisees met together to find a way to trap Jesus in his words. 16 They sent their disciples, along with the supporters of Herod, to him. Teacher, they said, we know that you are genuine and that you teach Gods way as it really is. We know that you are not swayed by peoples opinions, because you dont show favoritism. 17 So tell us what you think: Does the Law allow people to pay taxes to Caesar or not? 18 Knowing their evil motives, Jesus replied, Why do you test me, you hypocrites? 19 Show me the coin used to pay the tax. And they brought him a denarion. 20 Whose image and inscription is this? he asked. 21 Caesars, they replied. Then he said, Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God. 22 When they heard this they were astonished, and they departed.