Philemon 10-14 I appeal to you for my child, whom I have begotten in my imprisonment, Onesimus, who formerly was useless to you, but now is useful both to you and to me. And I have sent him back to you in person, that is, sending my very heart, whom I wished to keep with me, that in your behalf he might minister to me in my imprisonment for the gospel; but without your consent I did not want to do anything, that your goodness should not be as it were by compulsion, but of your own free will. --NASB In the name of the One Who gives us gifts to do with as we please, amen.
About a week ago I was visiting someone who is too sick to attend church right now. As we talked he told me about a time when a friend of his got a new bicycle. He said to his mother, "I wish I had that bicycle." His mother quickly corrected him saying, "You wish you had a bicycle like that, otherwise you are coveting, and that is sinful." His mother was very wise in righteousness. We should never want what another person has. But we can want something like what they have.
Even Saint Paul, who had every right to demand from Philemon the services of his slave Onesimus, sent Onesimus back to Philemon. Let us, like Paul, recognize that the things which belong to another are that person's by divine right. Let us see in this God's grace, who gave up His own Son for us. He gave up His Son for us so that we might be His children, and heirs of eternal life which no one can take from us. Amen.
Prayer: Dear Lord, You give gifts to us to use as we please. Most of all You have given us the gift of eternal life. Help us to use the gifts You give for the glory of Your holy name, amen.