May 21, 2025

PAYING BACK WHAT YOU OWE AS A BELIEVER

Apst. Emmanuel Osezele

KEY TEXT: Romans 13:8 KJV: “Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.”

EXAMPLE OF ZACCHAEUS: Zacchaeus was one example in the New Testament of the necessity of restitution. When Zacchaeus was in sin, he had taken money from others and degraded them in doing so. It was customary to render unto Caesar what was Caesar’s, but he took more than was expected, thereby bringing sin upon himself. This extends to our times —borrowing, stealing, and misappropriating. As Zacchaeus went back to rectify his wrongs, we must do likewise. Luke 19:8

LIVING WITH INTEGRITY: Do you owe someone? Pay what you owe. As believers, we are commanded to live with integrity—not only in our relationship with God, but also in our relationships with others. Let no one find reasons to accuse you of wrongdoing. If you have borrowed from another, pay back in full what you owe, for “the borrower is servant to the lender.” Be diligent in freeing yourself from debt so you can serve God peacefully. Romans 13:8

RETURN STOLEN ITEMS: Some people carry the debts of others, have made promises they are yet to fulfill, have borrowed items that remain in their possession, or have kept an item that was stolen. Know that the kingdom of God is not open to those who refuse to restore what was wrongfully obtained or unnecessarily withheld. Let us return what we owe and leave this earth with a clear conscience before all men. Colossians 3:9

PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, deliver me from every spirit of deceit, fraud and financial dishonesty. Help me to live blamelessly always in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

REFLECTION:

Matthew 5:23–24 KJV: “Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.”