When they came to Capernaum, those who collected the double-drachma tax approached Peter and said, “Doesn’t your Teacher pay the double-drachma tax? ” “Yes,” he said. When he went into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, “What do you think, Simon? Who do earthly kings collect tariffs or taxes from? From their sons or from strangers? ” “From strangers,” he said. “Then the sons are free,” Jesus told him. “But, so we won’t offend them, go to the sea, cast in a fishhook, and take the first fish that you catch. When you open its mouth you’ll find a coin. Take it and give it to them for Me and you.” ~Matthew 17:24-27
We as Christians don't want to be offensive to the unbelieving world around us. How many times have you read this account, and thought how nice it would be to find money in the mouth of a fish. Seems kind of gravy work doesn't it? Well we must remember that Peter was a Fisherman. This was his job and source of income for his family. Jesus was telling him to go work for the money in order to pay the taxes that were due to the government.
It is the same for us. Jesus equally provides money for us to live in this world. He does it through the means of our jobs. I am a HVAC Technition. I do not find coins laying in the bottom of a furnace, roof-top unit, or a boiler; but I do find my money direct deposited in our bank each and every week. This is Jesus' provision for me and my family to pay our taxes. After all, we don't want to be offensive to the unbelieving world around us.
