In spiritual terms, to pay for something is to be accountable for it. To make payment signifies taking responsibility. If in dreams we are paying a bill we may be accepting that we have received something of value. It may be that we must make good use of our resources. Payment, as in a monetary transaction, can often show our attitude to finance. To be paying cash suggests a more immediate use of our money and resources, whereas paying by credit card signifies a need to satisfy our immediate needs without thought of the consequences. A cheque nowadays could well show a slightly outdated attitude.