Keeping it simple...

Matthew 22:19-22 Show me the coin for the tax.” And they brought him a denarius. And Jesus said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said, “Caesar's.” Then he said to them, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.” When they heard it, they marveled. And they left him and went away. Even though these religious leaders had evil intentions, Jesus answered their question - rather, he had them answer their own question. We tend to make life complicated for ourselves, when God has made it very simple. Since He has seen fit to make us citizens of a particular nation or kingdom, we owe that leadership its due. That simple truth also carries with it a corollary: if we are truly members of God's kingdom, we will give Him what is due: our faith, our hearts, our lives. These particular people were willing to do neither: they were not willing to submit at all.