The word honor is used freely today. Yet few stop to consider what it really means.

An actor gushes “I am honored” as he accepts an award. A lawyer addresses a judge as “Your Honor.” High-ranking government officials are called “The Honorable.” Those with high marks in school can be on the honor roll.

But what does honor look like—especially for those God has called?

Honor is more than flowery titles or polite words. At its core, it means treating someone or something with respect and giving them deep importance in your life.

And God reveals exactly where true, lasting honor comes from: “But now the Lord says, Be it far from Me; for them that honor Me I will honor, and they that despise Me shall be lightly esteemed” (I Sam. 2:30).

The word translated honor here carries the meaning “to be heavy” or “make weighty” (Strong’s Definitions). God is not asking for a mere title or nice gesture. God is calling us to make Him weighty in our lives—to give Him real influence over our decisions, priorities and conduct.

Note the promise in this verse: “them that honor Me I will honor.” God will give honor to those who first give honor to Him.

But also consider the warning: “they that despise Me shall be lightly esteemed.” To despise God is to treat Him as though He carries little weight in our lives. And when people do that, God ultimately removes honor from them—just as they have removed honor from Him.

A sobering thought! Yet do not lose sight of the inspiring principle in this verse: The honor we are to receive from God is tied directly to how we honor Him now.

And the deep respect we show God must not end with Him. God expands whom we should honor to those far beyond Himself: “Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor” (Rom. 13:7).

The apostle Peter summarizes the principle this way: “Honor all” (I Pet. 2:17).

Our honor begins with God, but it must not end there. When we learn to deeply respect Him and those He has created, we live honorably now and prepare for the greatest honor of all: Rulership in the Kingdom of God.

Honor Toward God

Of all those to whom honor is due, the greatest is God the Father. As the eternal Creator and sustainer of all life, He holds the highest authority and therefore deserves the highest honor.

David captured this in Psalm 145:5: “I will speak of the glorious honor of Your majesty, and of Your wondrous works.” All glory and honor belong to God. He possesses it—and He can bestow it on whomever He chooses.

Yet this world does not give God that honor. His instructions do not carry weight in their lives, even though He wants everyone to receive eternal life (I Tim. 2:4). God Himself asks, “If then I be a father, where is My honor?” (Mal. 1:6).

Even when people talk about honoring God, their lives often reveal otherwise. Words alone are not enough. Isaiah wrote that “this people draw near Me with their mouth…but have removed their heart far from Me” (29:13).

We must be different. We glorify God through what we say, as well as how we live: “To him that orders his conversation [conduct] aright will I show the salvation of God” (Psa. 50:23). Our conduct reveals what truly matters to us.

God makes clear the kind of person He will honor: “to this man will I look…him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembles at My word” (Isa. 66:2). This describes someone who is moved by God’s Word, corrected by it and is willing to change.

If the Bible carries that kind of weight in our lives, we can be confident He is preparing to honor us.

Qualities of Honor

What does honoring God through our conduct look like? It involves respecting all God’s Commandments (Psa. 119:6), His ways (vs. 15) and His statutes (vs. 117). Let’s break down what this looks like.

With Our Time: We honor God with our time in many ways—through prayer, study, meditation and putting Him first each day. But the clearest test of whether God truly carries weight in our schedule is how we keep His Sabbath. The weekly day of rest is an opportunity to demonstrate the honor we give to the God who created it for our benefit (Mark 2:27).

God says: “If you turn away your foot from the Sabbath, from doing your pleasure on My holy day; and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable; and shall honor Him, not doing your own ways, nor finding your own pleasure, nor speaking your own words: then shall you delight yourself in the Lord…” (Isa. 58:13-14).

This scripture is a gold standard of Sabbath keeping. We can use it to honestly assess how we are doing.

Are we delighted when the Sabbath arrives? Do we enter it with excitement—seeing it as the gift of an entire 24-hour period of respite from the cares and routines of daily life, and time to focus on our Creator, His way of life and His Plan?

Do we take pleasure in speaking with God in prayer on the Sabbath, as His begotten children? Are we eager to assemble with the brethren and enjoy uplifting fellowship?

Then during these hours, how much do we let God speak to us through His Word through Bible study? Any loving child wants time with his physical dad—just as we should with our spiritual Father.

We can also honor God by spending time in His Creation, appreciating what He made before He rested on this day (Gen. 2:2-3).

To make the Sabbath as delightful as it should be, we must be prepared before it arrives. That way we are not distracted by unnecessary chores, purchases or loose ends. Do we make full use of the time leading up to it—doing household tasks, filling the gas tank and preparing food ahead of time—so the Sabbath can truly be a delight?

With Our Substance: Another area where God specifically mentions honoring Him is with our tithes, offerings and firstfruits: “Honor the Lord with your substance, and with the firstfruits of all your increase” (Prov. 3:9). Do we give to God willingly—and cheerfully—knowing that everything we have comes from Him?

This connects to how we view the Work and the needs of others. Proverbs says, “He that honors Him has mercy on the poor” (Prov. 14:31). When we support God’s Work and show mercy to those in need, we demonstrate the weight we place on God’s purpose. The knowledge of God published by this Work provides the poor of the world with the answers to life’s greatest questions.

Through Accepting Correction: God honors those who seek wisdom: “Exalt her [wisdom], and she shall promote you: she shall bring you to honor, when you do embrace her” (Prov. 4:8). Part of becoming wise is responding to correction with a teachable attitude. Chapter 13 says, “He that regards reproof shall be honored” (vs. 18). God honors people who respond to being corrected with humility and growth.

Through Diligence: Even our attitude toward work reflects our respect for authority, including God: “He that waits on his master shall be honored” (Prov. 27:18). Do we cheerfully go about our tasks, working diligently? Our employers notice, and so does God.

If we see ourselves slipping in any of these areas, it is a warning sign. It may reveal that we have begun to take God lightly in a particular part of life. But it is also an opportunity to renew our zeal, restore the proper weight of honor and grow in the qualities God wants to reward.

Honor is far more than something we show occasionally. It is a way of life. As we grow in these qualities, we show God we are ready for the greatest honor He promises to give.

Honor Beyond God

God specifically chose to honor His Son, Jesus Christ: “Jesus answered, If I honor Myself, My honor is nothing: it is My Father that honors Me” (John 8:54). We should honor Jesus Christ as well, and be mindful of all that He does for us in our lives.

Besides honoring both the Father and Christ, God also desires that we be highly respectful of a much wider group. In fact, God wants us to show honor to everyone! Read I Peter 2:17 again, this time in its entirety: “Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.”

All humans are created in God’s image and have the same incredible potential to be members of the God Family. We will get to spend eternity together with them. Treating these future sons of God with respect is a simple acknowledgement of this fact.

Look on everyone you meet as a potential member of the God Family. It could be the store clerk who makes a mistake, the stranger who irritates us, the driver who cuts us off in traffic. All will have their opportunity to learn the truth.

How can we show honor in tough moments? It can come in ordinary acts of restraint and kindness—by speaking calmly, showing patience, giving the benefit of the doubt and refusing to return irritation with irritation.

The verse also tells us to “Love the brotherhood.” Despite our familiarity with one another, do not forget to be patient and kind toward brethren as well. Remember the weaknesses we all have (I Cor. 1:27-28; Luke 16:8) and show empathy and compassion if any conflicts or misunderstandings arise.

“Honor the King”

Now note one more category listed for honor in I Peter 2:17: “Honor the king.” God expects His people to show honor to the leaders of our nations—even when they are imperfect, and even when we strongly disagree with their decisions.

It helps to remember that it is ultimately God who puts rulers into office. Daniel wrote that God “rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomsoever He will, and sets up over it the basest of men” (4:17). Human leaders rise and fall by elections and politics—but above all of that, God remains in control. He selects rulers for His purpose and expects His people to respect the offices He has established.

Paul reinforces this in Romans 13:1: “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.” That is why he warns, “Whosoever therefore resists the power, resists the ordinance of God” (vs. 2).

These verses show we must keep man’s laws. Of course, if a law of man would force us to disobey God, then we must obey God instead. Yet even then, we are to show honor and respect.

Daniel’s experience under King Darius is a perfect example. When Darius signed a law forbidding prayer, Daniel continued praying to God, knowing the penalty (6:10). As a result, he was thrown into the lions’ den.

Yet notice Daniel’s attitude after God delivered him. Darius came early in the morning and “cried with a lamentable voice,” hoping Daniel was still alive (vs. 20). And Daniel’s first words to the king were: “O king, live forever” (vs. 21).

Even after being unjustly condemned, Daniel showed no bitterness, offense or disrespect. He honored the king while obeying God.

Allow this example to challenge us. Do we speak respectfully of our leaders—even when we believe they are wrong? Do we avoid badmouthing them, mocking them or speaking of them with contempt? Honor does not require agreement, but it does require restraint, respect and a willingness to leave judgment to God. We should pray for our leaders (I Tim. 2:1-2), obey laws that do not conflict with God’s Law, and speak about authority with the dignity God expects.

Romans 13:6 reminds us that honoring rulers includes faithfully paying what we owe, including taxes: “Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due.” When we obey the governments of men, we are honoring God’s authority.

Becoming Honorable

When godly honor becomes our way of life, it shines as a light to those who see us. Over time, it forms our reputation.

Consider David. Even when King Saul mistreated him and pursued him, David continued to honor Saul’s office. So clear was David’s character that others could see it. Ahimelech the priest asked Saul, “And who is so faithful among all your servants as David…and is honorable in your house?” (I Sam. 22:14).

Samuel likewise carried this kind of reputation. When Saul and his servant were searching for lost donkeys, the servant urged Saul to seek Samuel’s help, saying, “Behold now, there is in this city a man of God, and he is an honorable man; all that he says comes surely to pass” (I Sam. 9:6).

What about us? If someone observed our lives—our speech, conduct, attitudes toward authority and treatment of others—would they describe us as honorable? Or would they see impatience, harshness or casual disrespect?

God is preparing to honor those who honor Him. And part of that preparation is becoming people who reflect His character.

Honor is not merely a command we obey—it is an attribute we develop. And the more it becomes part of our nature, the more ready we become for the greatest honor God can give: a role in His Kingdom.

The Honor that Awaits Us

Living a life that truly honors God in a world that lightly esteems Him is not easy. It takes “patient continuance in well doing” (Rom. 2:7). Yet Paul reminds us that this kind of steady faithfulness is not wasted.

This verse tells us to “seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life.” If we do so, God will give “glory, honor, and peace, to every man that works good” (vs. 10).

Daniel 7 reveals what our eternal responsibility will be: “the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the Kingdom…shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High” (vs. 27).

God will entrust rulership to those who have learned honor—those who now revere His authority, respect His Law and treat others the way He commands. The honor God gives will become the foundation for the righteous judgments His saints will execute (Psa. 149:5-9).

And what will we do with that honor? We will teach the rest of mankind how to live the way we have learned to live. They too will learn how to become honorable and be prepared for life in God’s Family.

That is why the words of I Samuel 2:30 are so weighty: “Them that honor Me I will honor.” The honor we give God now is shaping the honor He will entrust to us forever. And there is no greater honor than that.