Made in His Image!

The Pharisees got together and planned how they could trick Jesus into saying something wrong. They sent some of their followers and some of Herod's followers to say to him, “Teacher, we know that you are honest. You teach the truth about what God wants people to do. And you treat everyone with the same respect, no matter who they are. Tell us what you think! Should we pay taxes to the Emperor or not?”
Jesus knew their evil thoughts and said, “Why are you trying to test me? You show-offs! Let me see one of the coins used for paying taxes.” They brought him a silver coin, and he asked, “Whose picture and name are on it?”
“The Emperor's,” they answered.
Then Jesus told them, “Give the Emperor what belongs to him and give God what belongs to God.”

Matthew 22:15-21

The Pharisees were trying to get Jesus to take a side on the always hot topic of taxes. But the answer Jesus gave brought them back to their responsibility to God not the Emperor.

The coin they brought to Jesus had the Emperor's image on it. So Jesus told them that if the image of the Emperor is on the coin then give it to the Emperor. Every baby born on this earth was created in the image of God Himself. So every man belongs to God.

The essence of the free will of man is this: As a man or woman created in the image of God will you choose to give yourself to God so He can complete the picture of Christ in you? Your life is a canvas that you present to the greatest artist in all of eternity. When God puts His brush to your life it is transformed from a rough outline of God's image into a detailed and perfect picture of Christ!

When people speak of giving to God they often are referring to money. God has all the money He could ever need already, but what He wants from you is your heart.