Pay It Forward or Pay It Back
There is a huge difference between these two concepts. I see “paying it forward” as kindness given not knowing if you’ll get anything in return, but maybe hoping for a reciprocal blessing in the future. “Paying it back” seems to imply a debt that is owed. I have owed people money and it is not a pleasant experience when things are tight, but the debt has to be paid.
Jacob had worked for years for the honor of marrying Laban’s daughters, Rachel and Leah. He had been consistent in his work and now he wanted the debt to be paid. His arrangement with Laban seemed a bit vague. Check this out….
25 After Rachel gave birth to Joseph, Jacob said to Laban, ‘Send me on my way so that I can go back to my own homeland. 26 Give me my wives and children, for whom I have served you, and I will be on my way. You know how much work I’ve done for you.’
27 But Laban said to him, ‘If I have found favor in your eyes, please stay. I have learned by divination that the Lord has blessed me because of you.’ 28 He added, ‘Name your wages, and I will pay them.’
29 Jacob said to him, ‘You know how I have worked for you and how your livestock has fared under my care. 30 The little you had before I came has increased greatly, and the Lord has blessed you wherever I have been. But now, when may I do something for my own household?’ (Genesis 30:25-30 NIV)
I remember buying a automobile on credit a few years back and I set the debt up on monthly payments. By the time the vehicle was paid off, it was also worn out. I think that the arrangement between Jacob and Laban was pretty much for life until Jacob wanted out. I believe the principle found in Proverbs. Check this out….
The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender. (Proverbs 22:7 NIV)
I really want to be proactive and pay things forward. I want to show kindness and love to others and I would like the same from them. I’m not paying it forward, just so they will pay me back. I believe the Lord loves it when I’m kind like He is kind. I want to pay it forward because He paid my life forward for me!
Pressing On!
Dwayne