29th Week in Ordinary Times : Sunday, 18th October 2026

I am sure you have heard the expression “there is no free lunch.” The problem with humanity in general is that we try to squeeze free meals out of the situations around us. The most common example is the paying of taxes. We find ways and means to play around with numbers and figures so that we can either lower our taxes, or not pay it at all. The thing that I find ironic is that we complain so much about the lack of good infrastructure in the country, but we do not realise that the bulk of tax money collected is used to build and maintain such infrastructure.

This is the trap that the Pharisees set for Jesus – if He says pay the tax, it means He is supporting the oppression of the people; but if He says no, then He will be accused of rebelling against the government.

The wisdom of Jesus in answering the question should be used by us today, especially when it comes to the matter of paying taxes. It is about understanding where the money goes.

Whatever the situation may be, we know that the taxes we pay will be used for our own good. Let the wisdom of God guide us in our daily living so that our actions and decisions will be for our good and also the good of others.

PRAYER Lord, help me to grow in wisdom.