Render to Caesar

Who used to own million-dollar apartment, a Maserati, three BMWs, two Ferraris, a Land Rover and a Regal 2500 boat? Who ran up a $228,000 clothing bill and spent $140,000 on meals and other entertainment as business expenses? Who spent $21,000 on designer jewellery and $14,000 at Diamonds Direct, also claiming them as business expenses? 

Answer: Dr Todd Coontz, leader of Rockwealth International Church, Inc. The Charlottesville religious leader will spend the next five years in prison for tax evasion. He authored numerous books on faith and finances, including 7 Most Common Money Mistakes…and How To Avoid Them. Its blurb reads:

In this fact filled book, you will learn why millions are in a financial prison because of seven specific money mistakes they continue to make. On these pages you will learn not only how to avoid these errors but will discover proven strategies and divine principles that will set you on the road to personal wealth. If you want to permanently eliminate debt and learn the secrets of wise money management, start reading this book today. Says the author, I want to teach you to how to qualify, receive and manage your resources including the habits you need to establish now that will produce amazing abundance.

Jesus addressed several ‘money mistakes’, at least one of which Dr Coontz might have done well to heed:

Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.