July 20, 2024 Daily Dose of Discernment

Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. (Romans 13:7)

Some say respect is earned, not given. That is true in most cases, but sometimes not. Subjects bow before a newly-crowned king and citizens submit to the authority of a president on their first day, before they have proven themselves. These are obligations, but children of God have a higher calling. Just like our Father who is no respecter of persons, we give honor, love and grace not only to those to whom they are due, but even to those who are not worthy to receive them.

So the next time you tip a restaurant server or a parking attendant who may be having a bad day, you may want to give not according to how they did, but according to who you are - a partaker of the divine nature of generosity. Have that attitude whenever you give and whoever is the recipient.