The Temple Tax: The Priority of Avoiding Offense over Personal Liberty (my rights)

The Temple Tax: The Priority of Avoiding Offense over Personal Liberty (my rights)

(Small digression from Sabbath/Lord's Day series on related topic of Christian Liberty)

Ever wondered how this text could apply today in 2016? 

Is freedom really more important that not offending others?

Are my rights (personal liberty) more important?

In broader evangelicalism, is this simply a matter of grace versus law (in relation to Christian living)?

Consider Jesus' teaching on this issue from Mt 17:24-27.  I came across this text in my M'Cheyne Daily Bible Reading schedule.

The question is asked of one of Jesus' disciples, namely Peter, "Doth not your master pay tribute?"

What is this tribute?  Multiple study Bibles agree that it was an amount paid by males over 20 years of age (equivalent of two days pay) (ESV Study Bible, MacArthur, Ref. Hert., and Ryrie).

More important than the amount was the focus on who was required to pay this temple tax.  Jesus responds to Peter focusing on who should pay this tax (v. 25), "What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children or of strangers?"

Peter answers Jesus' question correctly, "Of strangers" (v. 25).  All four study Bibles agree to Jesus' second statement, "then are the children free."  Jesus is stating, "Jesus is the Son of God and therefore exempt from the temple tax" (Ref. Herit. Study Bible).  The other three agree with similar wording focusing on Christ's deity.

This being said, it is Jesus' follow up statement that bears weight on this question, "lest we should offend them," (v. 27).  Jesus' focus is not on a person's rights or liberty.  Don't forget all three study Bibles even made the connection to his own deity in relation to the scenario.  Jesus focused on not offending them, not his rights, privileges, or liberty. This term "offend" is a verb with a very similar root to the term used in Rom 14, "stumbling block."  This something Christians are not supposed to cause other brethren to commit through their own actions.

Lets import some present day scenarios into this equation:

1.  What actions might you be doing (which may be your rights/liberty) but are causing other believers to stumble?

2. What good intentions might you have in some endeavor but are causing other believers to fall into sin?

3. Think of all the things people do which may be their liberty/right (again it might not be), music, Bible translations, entertainment choices, sports, etc... and it is causing another brother to stumble?

Is your liberty really that important?  Obviously, Jesus Himself did not think his own rights were more important.

Hope this helps someone.  Comments encouraged.