Romans 13:7 — Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor

I have been honored over the past few weeks to give honor in our church — in one way or another  — to those to whom honor has surely been due.
First there was the couple who faithfully had shepherded our Sunday School class for many years. Then the couple who had managed the church’s Hospitality Ministry for a similar lengthy period. Finally there was the group of people who, over varied periods of years, have been stalwarts of our church choir but who, for various reasons, are no longer able to.
All of these people have two things in common (actually there are quite a few things, but these stick out for me). First, they served faithfully for many years with no expectation of reward. Second, they had no expectation when they had to step back, that they would be especially honored.
This business of honor is an interesting one. Honor is not something to be laid claim to, but it is something to be freely offered. Jesus gives a great example when He talks of guests at a dinner:

And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them, When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honorable man than thou be bidden of him; and he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room. But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee. For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. (Luke 14:7-11)

Have you ever felt that you weren’t getting the honor (or credit) that you deserved? I have. It’s tricky isn’t it. There’s just nothing that can be done about it except to follow Paul’s advice later in his letter to the Romans — “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another;” (Romans 12:10)
Paul had an inspired understanding of human nature, and he knew what it was to be treated without honor, and he understood the challenges of long unrecognized service — and so gave this firm direction to give honor to those to whom honor is due. As for me, I just want to record my thanks to those people who were the inspiration for this devotion.