Using Your God Given Favor to Help Someone in Need!

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Philemon 1:12-16 
"I am sending him—who is my very heart—back to you. 13 I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the gospel. 14 But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do would not seem forced but would be voluntary. 15 Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever— 16 no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord.

 The context of Philemon is that Onesimus, his slave, has run away from him.  Paul was in Rome in prison and somehow their paths crossed.  Paul calls him "his son", likely indicating that he had mentored in him the Christian faith and possibly led him to Christ.  He refers to him as a believer throughout the chapter.  Whatever made Onesimus leave his former master it appears he is now ready to return to him.  Naturally he would be apprehensive.  So, Paul writes a letter of recommendation urging Philemon to take Onesimus back into his home now as a brother in Christ.  

 Apparently Paul had led Philemon to faith in Christ as well, as he calls him a partner in the gospel.  Paul could have been more "heavy handed" and with the authority of Christ ordered him to take him back, but he appeals to him on the basis of love.  He appeals to him on the basis that Onesimus is not just a slave, but a brother in Christ.  Paul adds that if Onesimus owed anything to Philemon, he would pay it off himself.  This is reminiscent of the Good Samaritan story Jesus told.  Perhaps Paul knew of it.  

 Although this is a short story it shows Paul's concern for all people, even this runaway slave.  Paul uses his relational "bank deposits" to leverage the case for his new friend, Onesimus.  Who are some people God has brought into your life that you might be able to "go to bat for" like Paul did in the story today?  You never know when one day you will be in need of a similar favor.  If God has given you favor, use it to help someone in need.  Paul used his authority even in prison to help a fellow servant (slave) regain his freedom as Christ had done for him.    

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