Give What is Due
Rev. Enoch Nii Narh Thompson | November 3, 2026 | Romans 13:6–7
KEY VERSE: “Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honour, then honour.” Romans 13:7 NIV
MESSAGE:
Believers in Christ must learn to own what we owe and pay it. Romans 13:6–7 teaches us to faithfully fulfil our responsibilities toward others. Paul instructs Christians to give what is due, whether taxes, revenue, respect or honour. These responsibilities are part of living faithfully before God.
Our obligations are not limited to money. Paul includes respect and honour. This means Christian responsibility extends to how we treat people and how we respond to those who serve in positions of rightful authority. We should neither withhold what we owe nor neglect responsibilities simply because fulfilling them may be inconvenient.
Faith should show in how we handle our commitments. When we pay what is due, keep our obligations and give appropriate respect and honour, we demonstrate honesty and integrity. Our conduct shows that our relationship with Christ influences practical areas of everyday life.
Faithful Christian living includes taking responsibility for what we owe. You may have delayed a payment, neglected a commitment, or failed to give respect and honour. Romans 13:7 calls you to recognise what is due and fulfil that responsibility faithfully. In doing so, your conduct becomes a credible witness to the Gospel.
FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:
Consider whether there is an obligation you have delayed or neglected. It may involve money, a commitment, respect or honour. Take a practical step today to give what is due, and let honesty and integrity guide how you fulfil your responsibility.
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, help me to be faithful in all my responsibilities. Teach me to give what is due and to honour others appropriately. Help me to live with honesty and integrity so that my conduct reflects the character of Christ and brings glory to Your name. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.
SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!
The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING
Day 307 Mark 12–15 — Jesus Gives His Life
DAILY word study: OWE The Greek word translated “owe” comes from ὀφειλή (opheilē), pronounced oh-fay-LAY. It refers to a debt, obligation, or something rightfully due to another person.
The word carries the idea that something belongs to another person and should therefore be given. Paul uses this language to speak about more than financial debt. In Romans 13:7, what is due may include taxes, revenue, respect and honour.
This gives the word a wider meaning for Christian living. Some obligations can be measured in money. Others are expressed through commitments we fulfil, the respect we show, and the honour we give.
The question is therefore not only, “What do I owe financially?” It is also, “What is rightfully due from me to others?”
Reflect on this:
Is there something rightfully due from you that you have delayed giving? What will you do today to fulfil that responsibility?
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