Rendering to Caesar and to God

 



The Scriptural Principle

When Jesus declared, “Render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s, and unto God what is God’s” (Matthew 22:21), He drew a profound line between civic responsibility and spiritual devotion. His words remind us that while our ultimate allegiance belongs to God, we also live within earthly structures of governance that demand respect, accountability, and obedience.

The Situation

In Ceylon, during a time of epidemic, the Government entrusted a Christian Church with a 99-year lease of state land to operate a health facility. This was a providential gift, and the missionaries faithfully served the community through primary healthcare.

Years later, the facility was transformed into a youth camp site under the stewardship of a respected Christian organization. Eventually, the property was returned to the Church. However, financial constraints made it impossible to sustain the camp site meaningfully for over three decades. Recognizing this reality, the Government issued a red notice, requiring the Church to return the land.

In obedience to lawful authority, the denominational head complied, handing over the keys and signing a memorandum of understanding. The agreement stipulated that while the larger portion of land—including the conference hall, residential facilities, and playground—would revert to the Government, the Church would regain three residential facilities through a deed.

Yet dissent arose. A former leader of the same denomination, driven by ambition to reclaim power, rallied clergy and lay supporters to resist the decision. They reoccupied the site, organizing revival camps, discipleship gatherings, and youth events. Images of these activities circulated on social media, while a local agent of foreign funding produced glowing reports to secure resources for his personal agenda. These actions placed the Church in direct conflict with the state. Today, the current denominational leader faces charges of trespassing on Crown land—a painful consequence of defiance against lawful boundaries.

A Call to Reflection

The Christian Church in Sri Lanka must now reflect deeply on Jesus’ principle:

•          Rendering to Caesar: The land belongs to the state. To hold it unlawfully is to deny rightful authority. Christ’s teaching compels us to respect civil law, even when inconvenient or disappointing.

•          Rendering to God: The Church’s mission is not bound to land or property. Our true calling is to proclaim the Gospel, nurture faith, and serve people. When we cling to earthly possessions at the expense of integrity, we risk confusing God’s mission with human ambition.

•          Leadership and Obedience: The denominational leader's  decision to return the land was an act of stewardship and obedience to both civil authority and divine principle. Dissent that undermines lawful governance damages the Church’s witness and burdens its leaders with unjust consequences.

Lessons for the Church

•          Integrity over possession: Faithfulness to God’s mission must outweigh attachment to property.

•          Unity in obedience: Rebellion against lawful decisions fractures the Church and weakens its witness to Christ.

•          Witness to society: By honoring agreements and respecting civil authority, the Church demonstrates its role as a responsible partner in the common good.

Conclusion

This painful episode calls us back to Jesus’ timeless principle. We must render to Caesar what belongs to Caesar—respecting lawful authority and agreements. And we must render to God what belongs to God—our faith, our mission, and our integrity.

The strength of the Church lies not in land or buildings, but in its unwavering faithfulness to Christ.

Rev. Asiri P. Perera
Retired President Bishop
Methodist Church Sri Lanka

January 27, 2026

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