Most of us have probably seen or at least heard of the movie by that title. Maybe you have been the fortunate receipient of someone who paid it forward. Several times I have had a meal bought for me by someone. I usually had no idea who they were … who dun it. I was in a restaurant where I saw a city policeman dining alone by himself. I carefully approached a waitress and told her I wanted to pay for his meal which she readily took care of. I had no intention of letting him know I had paid for his meal but the waitress told him. I didn’t appreciate her doing so but there was nothing I could do about it. It turned out good however as he thanked me and it opened up a door for us to have a good conversation.

Anyway, I told you this to lead into what I have on my mind and heart to share. This sort of “paying it forward” is strictly something of purely human effort and involvement. That is okay, but did you know it goes beyond this. God gives gifts to His children … those who are “born again”. Out of His love He gives these gifts. As His born again children we should try to discover what gift/gifts He has given us. That is mainly because He wants us to use these gifts … to pay it forward onto others. In Acts chapter 3 we read about
‘The Lame Beggar Healed’ …
[1] Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. [2] And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple. [3] Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. [4] And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” [5] And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. [6] But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” [7] And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. [8] And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. [9] And all the people saw him walking and praising God, [10] and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. (ESV)

They used the gift God had given them and paid it forward. And verse 11 goes onto share how this opened up an opportunity for Peter and John to preach to the crowd as this had got their attention since they saw that this man was healed … a man they saw daily begging for alms (money) and unable to walk. He had to be carried there each day.

God has instructed us to minister onto others as we ourselves have been ministered to. That is paying it forward. 2 Corinthians 1:4 says … “He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.” New Living Translation That’s paying it forward.

This world we live in would tell us … DO ONTO OTHERS, THEN SPLIT or DO UNTO OTHERS BEFORE THEY HAVE A CHANCE TO DO IT UNTO YOU. You certainly won’t find that in the bible.

God would say and has said unto us just the opposite. We all know the golden rule … And Romans 12″18 “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.”

I once lived and had my welding shop next door to an auto salvage yard. They had a “junk yard dog” they kept chained up to one of the cars in their scrap yard. This particular area was quite near where I lived. I was out riding my bicycle early one morning before they were open for business when I noticed some sort of commotion going on near their entrance. I stopped to see what was going on and discovered that the dog had broken the chain and was trying to get out. I was standing between that dog and freedom. I am a dog lover so I thought nothing of trying to lend a hand keeping the dog there on their premises. It turned out to be one big mistake as that dog charged at me biting my nose and cheek and then sunk his teeth into my right forearm. When he let go I could see way down inside of my arm. I had to go to the hospital emergency room to get stitched up. Several people suggested me to sue the owners and get as much money out of them as I could. But that wasn’t my heart. I had hoped that they would at least pay my medical expenses but they stayed true to their reputation and didn’t say or do anything.They were rough crude mean people that no one liked. I just wanted to be at peace with my fellow man so I didn’t take any action against them. It is all past history and I have not thought about it anymore until now. BTW, there is truth to the saying “meaner than a junk yard dog”. I healed up fine and quickly.

Paying it forward is an excellent choice. I highly recommend it.