Page 437 - Bible History

410 CHRIST'S TEACHIXGS, MIRA ES AND CHURCH
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tles had gone on and entered a house. When Peter came in, all could see by his face that he was deeply troubled about something. Before he could explain, Jesus said to him, "Simon, how doth this appear to thy mind¥ Of whom do the kings of the earth exact tribute, of their children or of foreigners¥" "Of for­ eigners," Peter answered. "Then," said Jesus, "the children are free.''
Thus did He remind the apostles that He, the Son of God, was not subject to human law, nor bound to pay a "price for His soul."
"But," said Jesus, "that we may not scandalize them, go to the sea and cast in a hook, and that sh which shall rst come up, take. And when thou hast opened its mouth, thou shalt nd a stater. Take that and give it to them for Me and for thee."
A stater was equal to a shekel, eighty cents, and therefore was su cient to pay the Temple t for two persons.
Thus by word and by example did our Lord show how blessed is poverty and how foolish it is to spend one's life in the pursuit of riches. He told the people to beware of covetousness, for a man's happiness does not consist in the abundance of things which he posses-
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had no money and that he had no right to prom­ ise payment in His name.
Vhile Peter was talk­ ing to the taxgatherers, Jesus and the other apos­