Honor’s Reward

There is a phrase in Romans 13:7 that states simply  pay taxes, respect and honor to where it is due. Of course it is not a popular verse  heard very often. But there is a lot of truth in this verse that we would do well to incorporate in our lives. I want to focus only on the latter part: “honor to whom honor is due”. There is so much truth in understanding honor. To honor is to recognize and esteem. To lift above yourself.

Think about honor for a second. In the ten commandments it is the one commandment that includes a reward! Long life and good life are the reward of honoring our parents. Hmm. Could it be that there is a reward across the board when we practice honor? I believe scripture bears out this truth.

Jesus said if we receive a prophet because he is a prophet then he receives a prophets reward. Ever think about the reward? What kind of reward would come from recognizing and honoring a prophet? How about a word from God through the mouth of the prophet? A word in season for your life? I believe that and more will be the reward. And it is not only limited to recognizing a prophet. Jesus mentions a righteous man as well and receiving the reward of a righteous man. Think about how a righteous man is treated by the Lord! We could receive the benefits and rewards that a righteous man can bring. Here is one: a righteous man prays and is heard by God and accomplishes a lot! James 5:16, “the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective”! What a reward for simply honoring people for who they are.

You see we need to recognize that there are gifts and grace deposited in people around us. Once we understand that and begin to honor that gifting in them then we begin to be rewarded by the grace that flows through their life. Even Jesus said in one place that he could only heal a few people because they did not honor him in his hometown. They saw the carpenters son rather than the son of God! So it is possible to miss out on so much because we fail to esteem others around us.

Here is another statement made by our Lord when in John 4 he meets a woman that comes to draw water out of a well. He says to her “if you knew the gift of God you would ask of him and he would give you”. Recognize the gift and receive what the gift can deliver. Honor people and recognize them the way God sees them and according to what God has deposited in them (gift) in order to begin receiving great benefits!!