Fishing For Money

1
Fishing For Money

• So dont be a stumbling block to anyone, whether
  they are Jews or Gentiles or Christians. That is
  the plan I follow, too. I try to please everyone
  in everything I do, not doing what I like or what
  is best for me but what is best for them, so that
  they may be saved.
• 1 Corinthians 1032-33, TLB

2
The Facts, Please!

• When Jesus was on earth, the Roman Empire, which
  ruled over the Jews, made them pay income and
  property taxes, plus taxes on almost everything
  they did or bought. Besides that, there were
  religious taxes. Peter went fishing for money to
  pay a religious due- the temple tax.

3
The Facts, Please!

• Jewish law said that each Jew had to pay a
  half-shekel for the temple tax. A silver coin,
  the four-drachma, equaled a shekel in Jesus day.
  It paid the tax for two people.

4
Golan Museum - Qatzrin  January 2006 from
http//dqhall59.com/fish_and_coin.htm
5
The Facts, Please!

• There is a fish in Palestine called the St.
  Peters fish. It is also called the tilapia.
  These strange fish carry their eggs in their
  mouth. Later, their young fish live there. Even
  when the little fish go in search of food, they
  return to the mothers mouth. When a mother
  wants to keep her young ones out of her mouth,
  she picks up an object and holds it. A bright
  object, like a coin, especially attracts her.

6
The Facts, Please!

• Although Palestinian fishermen usually caught
  fish with a net, Jesus told Peter to throw in a
  hook and line, because only one fish was needed.

http//www.morningstarfishermen.org/fish.html
7
Bible Story

• Peters Strange Catch
• (Matthew 1724-27)

8
What would you do?

• The friend you are playing with must clean his
  (or her) room. You have permission to go and
  play with another friend. Would you stay and
  help your friend clean the room or go play
  somewhere else?

9
What would you do?

• You are visiting a crippled child, who asks you
  to stay and play a quiet game. Some of your
  friends ask you to play in a ballgame. Which
  would you do?

10
What would you do?

• You have been paid to rake the front yard
  belonging to an old lady. Her backyard needs
  raking, too, but she cant pay you to do both.
  Would you rake both yards or only the one?

11
What would you do?

• Its your little sisters turn to do the dishes,
  but she wants to go to a birthday party and
  doesnt have time to wash dishes. Would you wash
  the dishes for her?

12
What would you do?

• You paid tithe and gave an extra offering for
  missions. You are planning to buy a DVD with the
  rest of your money. The pastor takes up an
  offering for a family whose home burned up.
  Would you give them some money or buy the DVD?

13
What would you do?

• Which of your answers could help you win a soul
  to Jesus or influence a new Christian to be
  Christlike?