Collecting

Pastor Duck's Weekly Devotional 

Taiwan Church News 2647, November 24, 2002 

Translated by David Alexander 

Even tax collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, "Teacher, what should we do?" He said to them, "collect no more than the amount prescribed for you." (Luke 3:12-13) 

A-tat's parents both come from large families. He has many many uncles and aunts. When they visit and talk, he learns many things about family management and human relations. 

One uncle keeps meticulous records of any money that he spends. He is not a cheapskate, in fact, he is quite generous. But every dollar he spends or receives is recorded in a little book he always carries. One time he loaned A-tat 50 Taiwan Yuan. He wrote it in his book, in two places! When A-tat paid him back, this uncle opened the book and made a note in both places that the money had been repaid, and he wrote the date next to it. He always knew what people owed him, and who had paid their debts. 

Another uncle is also a generous man, and it's always easy to borrow money from him. But this man keeps no records at all. One day A-tat was in the market with him, and borrowed 70 Yuan to buy some school supplies. When they got back to the house A-tat paid him back immediately. It didn't matter. His uncle has mentioned the money that is due to him several times over since then. This uncle was never sure if he had been paid what people owed him, so he was always asking for something. 

Tax collectors were considered to be great sinners in Jesus' time. It was believed that they cheated the people by overcharging. John the Baptist told the tax collectors who repented to be honest, to charge only what was prescribed. 

So, how much does someone owe you? If it is an apology, do you extract punishment as well? If the apology has already been made, why do you still hold the offense against them? When the debt has been paid, are things now even between you, or do you continue to look down on one who was, at one time, a debtor? 

Like the tax collectors who came to John the Baptist, we may not collect more than the amount prescribed. 

Prayer: Christ who paid 100% for us, guide us to 100% forgiveness of those who have sinned against us. AMEN