The 5 Essentials of StewardshipShembull

The Third Essential: I’m Accountable.

If you’ve ever been into a restaurant, you’ve probably seen all the workers in their uniforms. But typically, there’s one worker with a different uniform. If you look closely, you’ll see their nametag bears the title “Manager.”

Can you imagine what would happen if the manager left the building? Or locked themselves into their office? The place might go crazy. Even worse, consider what would happen if the owner of that restaurant returned and found the manager locked away in his office. A firing would be imminent.

Managers, or stewards, are always accountable for their conduct.

Matthew 25 shows how we are managers of God’s resources. In the parable, a master brings together three of his managers. He gives each of them talents—five, two and one, respectively. And then he leaves.

The manager with five talents acts immediately and earns five more. The one with two talents performs similarly. But the manager with one talent inexplicably buries it in the ground. 

Imagine if the story ended there. If the master never returned, it wouldn’t matter how the managers performed, would it? 

But the story doesn’t end there, which is precisely the point of Jesus. The master does, in fact, return. No matter the delay, the master will return. And when he does, he expects his managers to account for what they’ve been given.

When the master returns, each manager stands before him individually. They don’t stand as a group. They account individually for what they’ve been given. Also, the master’s judgment is not based upon how much the managers have been given, but whether they’ve been faithful with what they’ve been given.

What is the call? The message? It is a good one. Jesus will have us stand before him and account for all we’ve done with what he’s given us. Our challenge is to be faithful, knowing we are accountable. In being faithful, we’ll receive his commendation.

Questions for Reflection

1. Why is the subject of accountability a difficult one in our culture today?
2. Is this concept a new one to you? Why do you think God promises to judge us based on what we have done, despite the fact that we’re saved from condemnation solely by Jesus’ atonement on our behalf?
3. What is your picture of what judgment looks like?