Trading and repaying favors is pretty common, but how often are we paying it forward rather than paying it back?
“Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.” (1 Thessalonians 5:15)
I don’t like being in debt, even when the debt is only in my mind.
If someone gives me a turkey, I’m going to bake them banana bread. When a friend pays for lunch, you better believe I’m grabbing the tab next time. And if someone remembers my birthday, then my Google calendar is set to remind me of theirs.
This sort of positive pay back might seem silly, especially when the giver had no intention of getting anything in return. But for me, taking without giving just feels wrong.
Or maybe I just don’t get it. Maybe the whole point of kindness and grace is about paying it forward. And not getting any of it back for yourself.
God’s grace: Paying it forward to others
The ultimate example of paying it forward is God’s grace. A gift that is set before us, with no expectation of getting anything back. Except faith.
Jesus died for our sins long before we were born. God sacrificed His son for us. And while we cannot repay that gift, we can pay it forward to others.
Doing good things for those around us is one way to thank God for the blessings He’s given us. Generosity, forgiveness, and peace can be gifts we give in His name.
Whether these are small acts of anonymous kindness or grand gestures that make someone feel loved and valued, all are a way to take the gift of God’s grace and extend it to others.
We can never repay God for the salvation that He has given us. But we can pay it forward by being His light in this often dark world.
Have a blessed Monday!
Looking for more encouragement and inspiration today? Try these posts:
Do You Need the Comfort Only God Can Give?
Why Having a Generous Heart Matters
Finding the Money: When Your Heart is Big, But Your Budget is Small
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