We usually think of the word owe in regard to financial obligations as in a bill to pay, annual taxes, or a debt. Debt can be our home, our transportation, or a school loan that needs to be repaid.
“Therefore give everyone what you owe: if you owe taxes, pay taxes; if customs, then customs; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.” Romans 13:7 WEB
“The wicked borrows and does not pay back, but the righteous is gracious and kind and gives.” ~Psalm 37:21 AMP
But owe can also apply to our heart’s attitudes and actions as in how we treat other people, especially the poor.
“But whoever has the world’s goods (adequate resources), and sees his brother in need, but has no compassion for him, how does the love of God live in him?” ~1 John 3:17 AMP
“Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.” ~James 1:27 NASB
We owe others truthful words.
“You shall not falsely [that is, lie, withhold, or manipulate the truth] against your neighbor (any person).” ~Exodus 20:16 AMP
In reality, we only owe love, and because God has poured out His love on us, we have His love to freely share with others.
“Owe nothing to anyone except to love and seek the best for one another; for he who [unselfishly] loves his neighbor has fulfilled the [essence of the] law [relating to one’s fellowman].” ~Romans 13:8 AMP
“By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you have love and unselfish concern for one another.” ~John 13:35 AMP
“This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have love you.” And, “This is what I command you, that you love one another.” ~John 15:12, 17 NASB
“Let everything you do be done in love (true love to God and man as inspired by God’s love for us).” ~1 Corinthians 16:14 AMPC
“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.” ~Ephesians 5:2 NASB
“For this is the message which you [believers] have heard from the beginning [of your relationship with Christ], that we should [unselfishly] love and seek the best for one another. This is His commandment, that we believe [with personal faith and confident trust] in the name of His son Jesus Christ, and [that we unselfishly] love and seek the best for one another, just as He commanded us.” ~1 John 3:11, 23 AMP
Recommendations:
The Most Popular Chapters in the Bible – Strength with Dignity
Deliberate and Unique Discipleship with Unexpected Life Rewards – Strength with Dignity
References:
68 Bible Verses about Owe. Published by Open Bible. Retrieved May 25, 2023, from What Does the Bible Say About Owe? (openbible.info)
Amplified Bible (AMP) Copyright 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631.
Amplified Bible, Classis Edition (AMPC) Copyright 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation.
New American Standard Bible 1995 (NASB 1995), copyright 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.
Webster’s 1828 Dictionary. Retrieved May 25, 2023, from Websters Dictionary 1828 – Webster’s Dictionary 1828 – Owe
World English Bible (WEB) by Public Domain. The name “World English Bible” is trademarked.
Bible Gateway Blogger Grid Member #bgbg2 #BibleGateway
Every Friday, I join an online Christian writing community, Five Minute Friday. We are given a one-word prompt and write – unscripted, unedited, pure free-write – for 5 minutes. The prompt this week is owe.
10 thoughts on “Owe No Man Anything – Simplistic, Insanely Strange, but Powerful”
I passed a beggar in the street
just the other day,
and to make sure eyes did not meet
I quickly looked away.
I saw an older lady spill
her hard-bought groceries,
but I stayed on prideful hill,
and took not to my knees
to help corral the rolling cans,
the grapes now clad in dust,
and when I died God took my hands,
and shaking head, asked how He’d trust
a man to walk the streets of gold
who would not do as he’d been told.
I think many of us are guilty of looking the other way, but the good thing is that His Holy Spirit convicts us, we repent, and the next time we choose to enter-in and help.
Thank you, this is a thought-provoking post. Knowing God’s love should definitely inspire us to show that to others.
I’m so thankful His love flows to us, and through us to others, Lesley.
This is a very good reminder for all of us to love others. That is the second greatest commandment after loving God. Thank you for your blog.
Terri #9 FMF
So true, Terri, we are to love God first, then love others.
nicely pulled together. 🙂 visiting from FMF12
Thanks, Annette! And I enjoyed your, to what do I owe this pleasure?
Thank you, Lisa. I needed these simple but powerful reminders this week. Visiting from FMF #4 this week.
I am so glad you were encouraged, Kath!