Don't offend

Thanks for joining me once again as I study the Bible and try to notice how Jesus walked/lived and learn to be like Him.

Today I wanted to share a lesson that I learned from Matthew 17:24-27, It says:

 "When they came to Capernaum, those who collected the two-drachma tax came to Peter and said, "Does you teacher not pay the two-drachma tax? He said, "Yes". And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, "What do you think, Simon? from whom do the kings of the earth collect customs or poll-tax, from their sons or from strangers?" When Peter said, "From strangers," Jesus said to him, "Then the sons are exempt. However, so that we do not offend them, go to the sea and throw in a hook, and take the first fish that comes up; and when you open its mouth, you will find a shekel. Take that and give it to them for you and Me."

 This instance is interesting because Jesus had a far bigger perspective than the tax-collector. He could see the whole picture and he knew he wasn't doing something wrong by not paying it but because someone pointed it out and would have though less of Him and Peter - he chose not to do something that would offend them (or cause them to stumble).

   This can happen today to. Right at the moment I can't think of a real good example (I have been having an ear-ache that has left my head a little foggy) but I know there have been times that I or others have felt that it was perfectly fine to do (or not do) something but others have come along and questioned it - the things is we may have seen the bigger picture and realized that the action was fine (not sinful) but because it may cause that person that questioned you to stumble sometimes it might be better to just go along with what they say (and sometimes maybe it is better to educate them).

So mainly the lesson I am learning is: Seek God's wisdom, seek to know the truth and try not to offend others needlessly. Be willing to go out of your way so that you do not cause someone to stumble.

What are you thoughts on these verses?