Who needs your grace just now?
A family member who spoke harshly to you?
A co-worker whose random sarcasm lacerates your sense of workplace peace?
A neighbor whose dog doesn’t consider property lines during those quick trips outside?
A church member whose criticism toward “some people’s children who act up” is really a veiled shot at your parenting skills?
Please show grace.
For grace has been shown to you.
Jesus taught often about grace. In today’s reading from the One-Year Bible, He emphasized the value of grace within the context of money owed.
The Parable of the Shrewd Manager in Luke 16:1-15 describes how the manager met with a couple of people who seemingly had not been paying their debts. Rather than lambast them with threats, the manager said — in effect — that he’d reduce the debt if the people would renew their promise to pay up.
By showing grace with the amount of money owed, the manager fostered loyalty from those in debt AND increased the likelihood of eventual payment.
If the manager had been a hard-nosed person, it’s probable that the debts might never have been paid and only hard feelings would have resulted all around.
Jesus said we are to use worldly wealth in a way that builds quality relationships. And sometimes that means letting some of our worldly wealth be invested in graciously forgiven, unpaid debts.
You might actually be owed money by somebody who just keeps putting you off when it comes to repayment.
Someone might not owe you money, but they do owe you an apology and a transformed attitude.
Please don’t let their failure to act like Jesus keep you from acting like Jesus.
Show whatever amount of grace in that situation that the Lord is leading you to provide.
Remember that God has forgiven you for far more than you’ll EVER forgive others.
It really is a case where “honey” will likely prompt more cooperation than will vinegar.
As always, I love you
Martin
