In Matthew 22, Jesus says

Give to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.

The emperor’s image was on the empire’s coins.

Where do we find God’s image?

 

God doesn’t need coins. Human beings are God’s image.

You. Me. Every one of us.

If I am to give to God the things that are God’s, I will give God my very self. My whole self. Everything I am.

Not only that.

Every other human being is also the image of God. So, I will not use other people to serve my own interests. I will not use them to further my own agendas. I will leave them in God’s gentle hands.

Understanding this has changed the world – many times. Belief that all people are made in God’s image fired the movement to abolish slavery. And it still does.

One human being cannot own another, because both are the image of God.