Getting Away With It
What do you do when someone owes you money and can't repay the debt?
Do you forgive the debt?
So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.' And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. - Matthew 18:26-27
In the parable of the slave whose debt was forgiven, Jesus seems to be telling us to be like the Father and forgive everyone for everything.
That's a tall order.
It is one thing to think of the Father that way. He can be so forgiving, since that helps us get on with our lives when we screw up big time, but do we have to be the same way?
What bothers me is that the person who fails to pay me back get away with it at my expense.
That's not fair, right?
Can we negotiate here? I mean, I would like to make sure the person who owes me learns a lesson, that he doesn't borrow from someone else with no intention of paying them back.
I guess I want to change my position from victim to judge.
So, what's the lesson to be learned? Perhaps I will be reluctant to loan money to the next guy after I get burned by this one.
When Peter asked Jesus how many times he should forgive someone, he was probably experiencing a series of disappointments from the same person, maybe even one of the other disciples.
What about the old expression - fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me?
No. I am definitely not living up to the standard Jesus has set. So, if I can't be a repeat forgiver, maybe I should try to avoid being a repeat offender.
Hmm. I will have to look at all my relationships and see if I am guilty of disappointing others and having them forgive me over and over again.
More to come...
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