Shalom, church family, and welcome to another daily devo! In this series, “Discipling the Algorithm,” we have the opportunity as a church to audit our relationships with our devices in the greater context of our relationships with God. Our modern cellphones tend to be a powerful influence in our daily lives. Today, as we explore this verse from the Gospel of Matthew, I invite you to ask yourself about how much of your mind, and how much of your heart, does your phone truly have authority over? In addition, how could that relationship change as you continue to grow in Christ?

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In this verse, Jesus is being questioned by the Pharisees, and they are attempting to trap Him. They are legalists who are threatened by His growing ministry. Furthermore, they cannot stand the idea of paying taxes to the Roman Empire. Jesus answers in a way they do not expect. As He often does throughout His ministry, King Jesus invites us to take a look into the motive of our hearts.  

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Why do we do what we do? In what way do we do it? Where do we submit ultimate authority over our lives?

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In the context of comparing modern technology like our cellphones to the denarius in question in the Scripture, we’re faced with a matter of temporary versus eternal. The world and its rules and materials are temporary. Our God and our spirits exist in eternity. Jesus points out that the coins, with which taxes are paid, are image-bearers of Caesar. We, as followers of Messiah, are image-bearers of God in eternity.

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I submit to you that our phones are simply a tool in the world, and the way in which we use them matters. Like Caesar, if the device and the algorithm it displays to us has ANY amount of authority, it is because God allows it to be so. He is the supreme authority. Interestingly, as supreme authority, God tells us to do our civic duty by paying taxes. Jesus Himself submitted to the legal system of the world all the way to His death on the cross! What I would like to get down to here is that while we are in the world, we are not of the world, and I believe Jesus is teaching something far greater than whether coins, taxes, or cellphones matter.

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Brothers and sisters, in this passage of Matthew, I believe Jesus is challenging us to learn to live by the Spirit. If my phone is leading me to do something that draws me away from God, then it is sin, and I should repent and change my ways. I believe Jesus to be talking about restoring our relationship with the Father as the ultimate authority over our lives. When we live fully surrendered to God, our actions are an outpouring of that identity in Him. I encourage you to practice listening to the Holy Spirit’s guidance as we all grow in discernment regarding our relationship with our tech.  

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If I discover that I have a growing amount of meaningless screen time and scrolling, I might ask if this is seriously the life I wish to be living?

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Have I talked to any humans today? Have I spent time in prayer today? Have I read my Bible today? Have I raised my voice in a song of praise to God today?

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Who or what is the authority of my life and inspires me to do what I do?

Father God, You are holy and mighty. You are the Ruler of our lives. Thank you for creating us and giving us the opportunity to grow closer to You each and every day. Jesus, thank you for teaching us about what truly matters. Thank You for leading by example. You are the way for us to reconnect with our true identity. Holy Spirit dwelling in us, thank You for Your guidance in these matters regarding our modern tech. We hear Your voice and trust You to steer us back to the Father for eternity as we navigate this temporary world. We love You and praise You. May Your name be glorified in us each and every day. It is in Your authority we pray, Jesus. Amen.