When they had come to Capernaum, those who collected the didrachma coins came to Peter, and said, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the didrachma?” He said, “Yes.” When he came into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth receive toll or tribute? From their children, or from strangers?” Peter said to him, “From strangers.” Jesus said to him, “Therefore the children are exempt. But, lest we cause them to stumble, go to the sea, cast a hook, and take up the first fish that comes up. When you have opened its mouth, you will find a stater coin. Take that, and give it to them for me and you.”
Matthew 17:24-27
There are times when non-believers impose things on us that are not required by scripture, but so as not to offend them, we can go along with without violating our conscience.
Another passage which is relevant to this thought is the "render unto Caesar" passage (Matthew 22:21)
Sometimes, it's not so easy in specific circumstances to discern whether we should acquiesce to a particular demand the non-Christian society around us imposes on us or not, so we need God's wisdom and not be rigid.
Father, give us wisdom when we should acquiesce and when we should not. In Jesus' name, amen.
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