The prices of some things is negotiable. Generally we negotiate the cost of a car or house. On other things we are generally not offered the opportunity to bargain on the cost. What we pay for gas, electricity and water is established by the utility companies and monitored by government agencies. Once we make some form of purchase agreement, we owe payment to the vendor.
Relationships don’t work that way. We seem to feel that we only owe somebody something if we get something in return. We even say things like, “respect is earned,” meaning the other person must do something for us in order for us to give them respect. This attitude, however, hinders our ability to maintain and grow relationships.
God wants us to look at relationships differently. Romans 13:7 says, “Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.” So how is this different from our natural way of conducting relationships? God has created each of us. In fact, He has wonderfully designed each person. We have been made in His image according to the Scripture. Therefore, every person is owed respect, honor, and kindness. God commands that we love our neighbor in the same way that we love ourselves.
Let’s start paying each other what is owed. As God’s specially designed creation, we owe one another respect, honor, and kindness. In God’s eyes, these bills have come due and we are ordered to pay immediately.
Reluctant Retiree 