1931) The last time I read a statistic, money issues were the number 1 reason for divorce. When someone handles your money poorly, it often brings with it bad tempers and division. If you did a service for someone, and they don’t pay or are pretty casual about it, it can bring out the worst in people. (And, no, I’m not suggesting we should put up with these sorts of things.)  

It’s funny how when we owe someone else money, whether it be a loan, a service we received or bills we owe, it’s a lot easier to take our time paying and justifying it. Oh, they will allow me to pay in increments (when this is not part of the service), they’ll understand that I need to wait a couple of months; they’ll get their money and more.  

Romans 13:7 tells God’s children we need to pay our bills, when we owe others, and owe taxes and the verse finishes up with paying respect and honor to whom it’s owed. I can see the reason for the first part of this verse, but what about the respect and honor?  

What if paying our bills and taxes on time is part of treating those we owe with respect and honor? Yes, we can think these items are too expensive and they’re charging too much but, perhaps the time to evaluate this is before you agree to another’s terms and partake of their services. This is the time to apply for help with funding, if it’s necessary not after we receive the expense.  

When you owe money to others, pay up. The other person’s account books scream your reputation.