The phrase "Show me the money" was popularized in the film "Jerry Maquire". The film was about a sports agent who had a momentary brush with ethics and how it costs him all of his clients except for one lone football player who wanted Jerry to "show me the money." Long before this phrase was a part of our culture, Jesus asked a certain group of Pharisees to show Him the tax money (Matthew 22:19).

When Jesus entered Jerusalem for the last time, the religious leaders of the Jews confronted him. They were determined to kill Him and in their plans, they plotted to entangle Him in His talk (Matthew 22:15). The Pharisees asked Jesus if it was lawful to pay taxes unto Caesar. Jesus told the Pharisees to "render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s" (Matthew 22:21).

A question we must ask ourselves is, ‘What do we render unto to God?’ Our answer to that question will determine our eternal destiny. As we think about what we should render unto God, let us consider the following.

Do we give God our devoted loyalty? In giving the children of Israel the Law, God commanded them to "have no other gods before Me" (Exodus 20:3). As we go through life, we have many obligations and people who demand our loyalty. Family, jobs, finances often are given a higher priority in life than God. Jesus told us that we can not love two masters (Matthew 6:24). When our loyalties are divided, we do not render God His due.

Do we give God our best effort? Do we serve God in the best way that we can? Jesus came to serve and not to be served (Matthew 20:28). We must find our place in the work of the local congregation. We must be evangelistic and take the gospel to the world (Mark 16:15). We must be diligent in our study of the Bible. We must make time for an effective prayer life (James 5:16). When we worship, we must worship in spirit and in truth. (John 4:24).

Do we show God our appreciation? In Luke 17:11-19, Jesus healed ten lepers yet, only one returned and gave thanks. We have so much to be thankful for, yet like the nine lepers, many times we do not give God thanks for our blessings. God has given to us the opportunity of eternal life by sending Jesus to be a ransom for us (1 Timothy 2:5-6). Jesus has promised an abundant life if we seek Him (John 10:10, Matthew 6:33).

Do we show our love to God properly? In John 13:34-35, Jesus commands us to love one another as He loved us. We show our love by our obedience (John 14:15). We show our love for God by showing our love to our brothers (1 John 4:20-21). Our love for God is shown by trusting Him (2 Timothy 1:12).

Jesus told the Pharisees, "show me the money". What do our lives show others about our relationship with God?