The Importance of Honor

Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.                                      Romans 12:10  ESV

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.                                             Romans 13:7  ESV

   Honor is publicly aknowledged value.  It is the foundation of strong and enduring communities, churches and schools.   Paul challenges us to outdo each other in publicly showing how we value each other.  People have value because they are made in God’s image.  Parents deserve to be valued by their children simply because they brought them into this world and give up so much to raise them.  Teachers and other leaders deserved to be valued because they help develop success in others.

   What can you do to show those around you they are valuable?  How can you outdo others in giving honor?

•        Come up with a creative way to show your spouse how they add value to your life.  Share this with them in front of your kids or some friends.  

•        Send a note or email to your child’s teacher thanking them for the value they add to your child’s life and send a note to the principal about the value syou shared with her.  

•        Thank your boss or a coworker in front of other employees for something he or she has done well for your company or organization.

•        Send an email to a school board member thanking them for the sacrifice of time they made to add value to your community.  Copy the rest of the members of the board on the email.  

•         Thank a police officer or first responder, for their part in making your community stronger.

This week, ask God to lead you to show three to five people that you are thankful for the value they bring to life.  Honor them with your appreciation and do it so others can hear it if  at all possible.

Building Up Others with God

 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.                                                   Ephesians 4:29  ESV

   With all of God’s commands, as we do good to others, we do good to ourselves.  In God’s beautiful wisdom, he has designed his creation so that when we bless others, we are blessed.  It doesn’t work like a vending machine.  We don’t deposit a coin of goodness and get to select what goodness is returned to us.  It works more like a garden.  When we plant seeds of kindness in others, kindness grows in our lives.  When we refresh others with generosity, we are refreshed by the generosity of God.

    The same principle works with our words.  When we speak words that spring from an unselfish motive to build up other people, we become stronger.  Since opportunities to build others are always available, opportunities to become stronger also abound.  You can test this principle, it will prove itself to be true.

    This week, make a list of five people that you can encourage and build up with your words during the week.  Ask God to give you words that will be very meaningful to the  people on your list and then look for the opportunity to speak your empowering words.  As you bless, you will be blessed!