Does it bother you when people do wrong things and face no consequences?  It bothers me.  Sometimes it seems people get away with things I never could, yet without any accountability.  We wonder if anyone – especially God – notices what they did, and how could they get away with such things?  Whether or not we realize it, God is watching, and accountability is coming.

In the last two blogs we have learned Life Stewardship requires us to understand the principles of ownership and investment.  A Life Steward knows that all of life is a trust from God and that He owns us and all that is ours.  We also understand that we must intentionally and urgently work with God’s blessings to yield a fruit for His Kingdom.

Today we consider the third important element of Life Stewardship, accountability. Again, we turn to Jesus’ parable of the talents found in Matthew 25:14-30.  After a long while, the master return to see how his servants had fared and to settle accounts with them. 

As believers, Jesus has rescued us from wrathful judgment of our sins.  However, we still face the judgement seat of Christ where we will give account for our stewardship of this life. (See 1 Corinthians 3:10-15, 2 Corinthians 5:9-10, and Romans 14:10-12) 

What Accountability Rewards

When the master summoned the two successful servants, he commends them in three ways for the results of their stewardship.

1.  Well done.

The servants worked with the master’s possession entrusted to them, and the master pronounced that work exceptional. This commendation refers to the nature of the servants, not just their work.  The master focused more on the value of the servant that on the value of their profit.

Life Stewards accomplish God’s work God’s way and receive God’s approval for who they are more than what they do.

2. Good

The word translated “good” refers to the benefit the servants proved to the master.  The effort produced a good result – they doubled the master’s initial investment. 

God is more interested in good hearts than good results, although the two most often go together.  A Life Steward concentrates primarily on BEING a good steward knowing good results will naturally result.

3.  Faithful

The master declared the servants trustworthy and dependable, referring to their persistence of effort.  The master had delayed his return a long time, but the servants never gave up their work.  They did not shirk, shrink, cut corners, or quit.

What a reward to hear the One who has entrusted so much to us give such words of approval – Well done, good job, way to go.

What Accountability Punishes

The third slave did not fare as well as the first two because he did not invest the master’s money.  His excuses revealed that he did not know his master as well as he claimed he did.  The master had harsh words for this servant.

1.  Wicked

Again, the master concentrated on the nature of the servant more than his results.  The word translated “wicked” is often translated “evil” in the Bible.  The servant’s poor results and lame excuses exposed his true character. This quality stands in stark contrast to the “good” description of the successful servants.

The one who refuses to exercise good stewardship his life reveals a wicked heart.

2.  Slothful

The unsuccessful slave lacked ambition and was unwilling to engage the difficult but rewarding work of stewardship.  In contrast to the faithfulness of the successful servants, this slave proved himself lazy and undependable.

3. Worthless

While the two successful servants provided benefit and value to the master, this servant was useless and of no value.  As a result the master stripped him of his blessing and had him banished.

The lesson for us to learn is that no matter how long the delay, a time of accountability is coming.  Are you ready?  How will your Master find you when He returns?

Questions to Consider:

1.  If Jesus returned today, which words would He use to describe me?

doing well        good          faithful          wicked             lazy               worthless

2.  What one thing can I do TODAY to begin exercising greater Life Stewardship?

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Remember, it’s never too late to begin Life Stewardship.  Blessings to you.