So when all is said and done, the only debt we ought to accrue is love toward each other. And that’s only because we are called to love beyond ourselves. All the rest … we’ve got to get to it right away. Even to the point of honouring others. Consider Today’s Holy Nougat.
Romans 13:7-8 NIV
[7] Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honour, then honour.
[8] Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.
Credit (Honour) Where Credit is Due
Are you familiar with the phrase, ‘Give credit where credit is due’? It invites us to ensure that we praise people for their work, regardless of any other factors. (Some might naughtily say allow someone to use hire purchase to pay later when a person has demonstrated they are worthy of a loan or delayed payment. While it sounds cute to give fiscal credit, I think I’m correct in thinking it’s about social credit). This sounds simple enough, but I honestly believe that we’re taught to sparingly offer praise to others, except when we believe that it has earning potential for us. So we readily praise leaders or influencers; yet we can scarcely drum up gratitude for service workers and are challenged to be kind to subordinates.
Self-Check
Doors that describe us? Prayerfully consider how we might relate more positively with others.
Application
As He walked and taught those whom He encountered, Jesus saw people. He saw beyond the masks to the true character within. He saw a yearning Zacchaeus, a dedicated widow, a hungry Mary, a thirsty divorcee, a Good Samaritan, a believing centurion, a humble publican, a loving son, a zealous Peter; and to each of them, Y’shua gave their due: unhesitatingly and publicly. Few of those mentioned were beloved members in society; several were outcasts.
For Y’shua, honouring such persons seemed to underscore His core message of love. It is as if He was telling us to look at people and try to really see them. And when you do, help them see themselves as worthy, respectable, loved, and beloved by God and humanity. In so doing, He negated the observation that a prophet is not without honour … except in their own communities (see Mark 6:4).
We therefore, as followers of Christ, honour Him Whom we can not literally see by loving and honouring those we can. Have you ever been overlooked for good work you did, while others received ‘your’ credit? I have. It’s not always an enjoyable feeling. I believe that’s what Y’shua wants us to do, go beyond ourselves to offer honour to others as we would wish to be honoured. ‘… and our Father Who sees us … will reward us’ (Matthew 6:4-6).
Do you see how it all connects? Now, let’s ensure that our love is evident in the respect and honour we freely give to others. May we be generous in all we do, honouring God with our love.
Point to Ponder
Have we been remiss in giving credit where credit is due? How might we rectify it?
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May all we seek be found in Christ
