2 Samuel 19:11
“And king David sent to Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, saying, Speak unto the elders of Judah, saying, Why are ye the last to bring the king back to his house? seeing the speech of all Israel is come to the king, even to his house.”
David asked the tribe Judah, “Why are ye the last to bring the king back to his house?” Judah forsook David for the rebellious Absalom. Judah was like many people, they were opportunity seekers. They thought Absalom would be the next ruler, but now that he was dead they find themselves in a quandary because David was back in charge. They were ashamed of what they had done, but they were also afraid what he might do to them. It was David’s initiation to negotiate his return that helped Judah overcome their shame and guilt.
What is sad to me is that David had to be the initiator of this negotiation when Judah owed their lives and respect to him. If David had not been king of Israel, Judah would have been like every other tribe. The one tribe who should have been quick to take David back was the one tribe with which he had to negotiate. David was their own, but they were the last to receive their own. It is tragic that they were not the first to receive their own.
This same situation happens over and over again in churches. Someone grows up in a church or works out of a church, but the church doesn’t respect them as they should. A young person grows up in a church and becomes a preacher, but the people of the church won’t respect that young person who is now an adult. I certainly understand that your memory of a person is when they are younger, but they are now a man of God and of all the churches that should respect them and honor them it ought to be the church where they grew up. It is sad when the home church is the church that gives the least respect. It is sad when the home church doesn’t honor a man of God as other churches do. It should never be said about your church that other churches honor those from your church more than you do.
Moreover, it is pitiful for someone to make something of themselves and their own family doesn’t respect them or give them the honor they deserve. I can understand that you know them as a brother, sister, child or relative, but you should be their biggest 
supporter. You should be the one who is excited that your own is doing something.
My oldest sister is one who has truly given me the respect of a man of God. She and her husband are serving in a boy’s home, and every time I go to preach where they serve, she is at every service to hear her little brother speak even though it is not required of her. I have watched my older sister come hear me preach in other places when it was in driving distance. To be honest with you, I’m honored that she would do this, but that is exactly how it should be. Those with whom you have the closest relationships should be the ones who best support those who are doing something for God.
Let me ask you, are you the last one to give honor to someone with whom you are close? Friend, you will not have many relationships with people whom God uses greatly. Don’t you be the last one to bring someone back just because you are close to them. Don’t let others treat those close to you better than you do. Be sure that you are the biggest cheerleader of those with whom you are closest. Don’t ever let it be said about you that you were the last to give honor to someone close to you whom God is using.
Allen Domelle is the editor of the Old Paths Journal which is more than just a Christian’s publication. It is an excellent place to learn how today’s headlines will forge tomorrow’s laws and statutes. Keep yourself in tune with what is happening around the world, as well as in your own backyard with our daily updates and devotionals.