Small Coins, Big Lessons: Humility and Care in God’s Kingdom (Matthew 17:24-18:6)
Sometimes the smallest stories in the Bible carry the biggest lessons. In this part of Matthew’s Gospel, we see Jesus do something unexpected to pay a tax, and then He teaches His disciples what greatness really looks like. It’s all about humility, trust, and caring for others—especially the ones who seem small or unimportant.
Let’s take a closer look at what happened.
A Coin in a Fish: Trusting God to Provide
When Jesus and His disciples arrived in a town called Capernaum, some tax collectors came up to Peter and asked, “Does your teacher pay the temple tax?” Peter said yes, even though he hadn’t actually checked with Jesus first.
Later, Jesus asked Peter a question: “Do kings collect taxes from their own children or from others?” Peter answered, “From others.” Jesus agreed—since He is the Son of God, He shouldn’t have to pay the temple tax at all.
But Jesus didn’t want to cause trouble or offend anyone. So He told Peter to go fishing. The first fish Peter caught would have a coin in its mouth—just the right amount to pay the tax for both of them.
What can we learn from this?
Even though Jesus had every right not to pay the tax, He chose to be kind and respectful. He didn’t start a fight. He also showed that God can provide in amazing and unexpected ways—even through a fish with a coin in its mouth!
Who Is the Greatest? Becoming Like a Child
Soon after, the disciples asked Jesus a big question: “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
Maybe they were hoping to hear that it would be one of them. But Jesus did something surprising—He called over a little child. Then He said, “Unless you change and become like children, you won’t even enter the kingdom of heaven.”
He explained that the greatest person in God’s kingdom is the one who is humble like a child.
What does that mean for us?
In God’s eyes, greatness isn’t about being important, powerful, or popular. It’s about being humble—willing to learn, willing to trust, and not thinking you’re better than others. Just like little children depend on their parents, we’re called to depend on God.
A Serious Warning: Don’t Lead Others Astray
Jesus went on to say that anyone who welcomes a child in His name is actually welcoming Him. But then He gave a strong warning: if anyone causes one of these little ones to stumble or turn away from God, it would be better for that person to face a very serious punishment.
Why is this important?
Jesus cares deeply about those who are humble, young, or new in faith. He wants us to protect, encourage, and care for them—not hurt, mislead, or ignore them. Our actions toward others, especially the vulnerable, really matter.
Living It Out: Humility and Care
This passage reminds us that God sees things differently than we do. He values quiet trust over loud pride. He honors humble hearts over high status. And He pays attention to how we treat people who might seem small or unimportant to the world.
Here’s a simple way to live out what Jesus taught:
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Trust that God can provide for your needs—even in surprising ways.
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Be humble, like a child, ready to learn and open to God’s guidance.
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Be kind and careful with others, especially those who are young in age or young in faith.
Final thought:
Jesus didn’t just teach these lessons—He lived them. He was the King who humbled Himself, the Son who trusted His Father, and the Savior who cared for the least. Let’s follow His example in how we live, love, and lead others.
Matthew 17:24-18:6 (WEB)
17:24 When they had come to Capernaum, those who collected the didrachma coins came to Peter, and said, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the didrachma?” 25 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?”26 Peter said to him, “From strangers.”Jesus said to him, “Therefore the children are exempt. 27 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.”18:1 In that hour the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?”2 Jesus called a little child to himself, and set him in the middle of them 3 and said, “Most certainly I tell you, unless you turn and become as little children, you will in no way enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. 4 Whoever therefore humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. 5 Whoever receives one such little child in my name receives me, 6 but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to stumble, it would be better for him if a huge millstone were hung around his neck and that he were sunk in the depths of the sea.