Wednesday September 24, 2014

Read: Romans 13:7, Deuteronomy 25:4

It’s a sad fact that sometimes businesses find that the worst customers are Christians. They can require extra service, be seemingly extra fussy about the final product and be late in paying their bill. In fact there are businesses that will openly share that Christians are their worst paying customers. This is a terrible reflection on Christians and on the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

This kind of thing is what Paul is writing about here in Romans 13. He has exhorted the believers to submit to the governing authorities who rule over them because God has established them to rule over the nation. He continues this train of thought in verse 7. Not only are they to submit but they are to give everyone what they are owed. By his examples Paul clearly has submission to authorities primarily in mind. They are to pay taxes they owe, pay revenue, show respect and honour those who are owed honour.

But this principle extends far beyond merely giving the Government what they are owed. Notice how broad Paul makes his statement: “Give everyone what you owe him.” This extends beyond governments to include businesses, friends, family members, other believers etc. Anyone and everyone whom we owe anything we are to give to them what they are owed. If it’s money, we pay it. If it’s respect, we give it. If it is honour, we show it. If it’s time we provide it. Whatever we owe we are to give to those we owe to.

This is not a new idea. In fact this is the way that God has desired that His people operate throughout history. This is the meaning of the somewhat cryptic command in Deuteronomy about muzzling an ox. When an ox is working hard to tread out the grain the Israelites were note to muzzle the ox to prevent it from eating some of it’s hard earned meal. Instead they were to allow it to eat. This concept extended far beyond beasts of burden. The Israelites were not to withhold the necessary wages from those who had worked hard for them, they were to pay them as soon as they were owed.

God desires this kind of honesty and integrity in the way that God’s people deal with others. Every part of our lives should reflect this aspect of God’s character. From preparing a tax return to the way that we purchase from businesses. From caring for and loving one another to honouring those in our churches and country who are in a position of honour. In our every dealing we are to have integrity and honour in the way that we live.

This might mean that we need to put some strategies or plans in place so that we can fulfil our commitments and show this kind of integrity. If you have trouble remembering to pay your bills on time you might need to figure out a way to remind yourself. If you have trouble meeting your obligations you might need to consider preparing a budget or cutting back on your spending. If you find it difficult to honour others you might need to pray that God would help you to be humble and honour others. How can we make sure that we are giving to everyone what we owe?

Prayer:

Use the Bible passage from today and the reading notes to write down your prayer points before you pray.

Adoration:

Confession:

Thanks:

Supplication:

¥ Pray for Extreme week happening this week at ChristLife. Pray that the kids would be open and willing to hear about what Jesus has done for them. Pray that many would desire to give their lives to Him. Pray that God would strengthen and encourage the leaders and give them energy to serve. Pray that through the kids the families would be reached with the Gospel.

 Witness Moment:

Being a good witness for the Gospel isn’t just the big difficult things. Simple things like paying bills, being kind to staff in businesses and keeping our word are powerful examples in a sinful world. Let’s get serious about these simple ways to be a witness.

 Discussion Questions For Families and Groups

1. How would this passage apply to the following areas of your life?

Þ Work

Þ Family

Þ Finances

Þ Preparing your tax return

Þ Church

 Discipleship Moment For Girls

Intro: Sometimes it can be hard to be honest and to do the right thing. Sometimes we might even get in trouble.

Share:  A time when you were honest, even though it was hard and you thought you might get in trouble. Why was it hard? What happened when you told the truth?
Read: Romans 13:7 God wants us to be honest and to do the right thing because He loves us and wants the best for us. This means showing honour and respect to those who deserve it. What does it mean to show honour? What does it mean to show respect? Who should you honour and respect?

Pray Together: Thank God that He wants what is best for us. Pray that He would help us to do the right thing.

 Discipleship Moment For Boys

Intro: Sometimes it can be hard to be honest and to do the right thing. Sometimes we might even get in trouble.

Share:  A time when you were honest, even though it was hard and you thought you might get in trouble. Why was it hard? What happened when you told the truth?
Read: Romans 13:7 God wants us to be honest and to do the right thing because He loves us and wants the best for us. This means showing honour and respect to those who deserve it. What does it mean to show honour? What does it mean to show respect? Who should you honour and respect?

Pray Together: Thank God that He wants what is best for us. Pray that He would help us to do the right thing.