June 8, 2026 · David Farmer
Paybacks
“He said also to the man who had invited him, “When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return and you be repaid. But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.””
Luke 14:12-14 →
## What Sense
I suppose many of us have done it- circular paybacks. We go out and I buy your meal today. Next time we go out, you buy my meal. I can see it if I’m really tight on money and waiting for payday, but that isn’t the scenario Jesus is addressing. This is a culture where the higher circles are doing circular paybacks. But keep the math simple here. If both meals costs $10 a piece, then $20 still came out of both our pockets overall. It may seem like a “nice gesture”, but really what sense does it make? This is similar to the honorific titles of “scholar” in English or the word “maskilim” in Hebrew. Thirteen Psalms are subtitled “maskils”. They were used by “enlightened men” to teach Hebrew roots back to the Jewish people spread throughout Europe and Russia in the 17001800’s. The teachers of this movement called each other Maskilim, and like “scholars”, it was a system of circular honor.
## Eternal Vision
In the previous parable, Jesus spoke directly to the guests invited to the party about sitting in places of honor. Here He speaks to the hosts of the party about inviting people who can or can’t pay you back. It’s another matter of getting honor for yourself. Next time your rich buddy has a get together, he’ll invite you so he’ll be seen at yours and you’ll be seen at his. Both of you will receive the prestige and notoriety of running in the top circles of society.
Man is so worried about getting glory and honor for himself. And what does mankind do? We go for what we see right here in front of us! We go for immediate satisfaction and gratification. One thing that Christianity has changed in me is my vision. I look forward now to things that can’t be attained in this world. It has given me Eternal Vision. But Eternal Vision looks all the way to the Resurrection of the just.
## Self-Check
It does make sense, but what sense does it make? Showing honor to those who honor you, is really all about getting honor for yourself. Is this a deep root that answers why we often don’t hang out with those lower than our circles? Just a thought here: Jesus hung out with those lower than Himself, and He is honored above all. Hanging on the cross, He looked with Eternal Vision all the way to the Resurrection of the just. He saw those standing there who could not pay Him back. He saw me and you.
## Brides and Cows, Bless Me Now