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Jumpstarter 10 of 10

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Question 10

Bercot says, “Planned or not, the colonists ended up enjoying the benefits…while bearing only a token part of the costs,” and that this would test trust in God again; where might God be testing your trust through financial obligations you dislike (taxes, fees, pricing, compliance), and what would obedience look like in concrete decisions this month?

Another way to ask: Bercot says these costs tested whether the colonists trusted God. Where might God be testing your trust through money duties you don’t like (taxes, fees, rules), and what specific act of obedience could you make this month?

Direct Answer The transcript doesn’t speak to your specific obligations, but Bercot’s point is that disliked financial duties—especially taxes—test whether we trust God enough to obey Jesus rather than seeking savings through evasion. Obedience, in his framing, looks like refusing to participate in unlawful “workarounds” even when they feel economically helpful.

Support from Transcript:

He defines the principle: hardship-producing commands “test our trust in God” and whether we believe He cares.
He applies it to taxes through Jesus’ command: “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s.”
Colonists failed the test by choosing profit and savings: they “decided they simply would break the law by smuggling,” and buyers did it “to save money.”
The chapter shows indirect complicity matters: many were “complicit,” and churches “turned a blind eye.”
He concludes beneficiaries shouldn’t dodge costs: colonists enjoyed protection while paying “only a token part of the costs,” and this would “test” them again.

Discussion Follow-ups What decisions this month involve honesty about what you owe (payments, reporting, purchases)? Where are you tempted to justify a shortcut because it’s common or financially relieving?

Jumpstarter 10 of 10