Title

The Accountability of Stewardship

Scripture
What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward.
(Luke 16:2)
Devotional
We are stewards of all that we possess, from our physical bodies to our tangible assets. Scripture is clear, "The earth is the Lord's, and all its fullness."(1) To think that we can do whatever we wish without giving an account of our stewardship is less than foolish. We will not only be called to give an account in the Day of Judgment, but we are called to give an account daily. Accountability is the wisest form of our stewardship. It is the wise steward that remains liable to not only his or her master, but the master's representatives as well. Children are to be accountable to their parents, husbands and wives to each other, parishioners to pastors, and employees to employers. I am convinced that if we are not willing to be accountable to each other we are most likely not accountable to God. Let me paraphrase 1 John 4:20, "If we cannot be accountable to our brother whom we can see, how can we be accountable to God whom we cannot see?"

(1) 1 Corinthians 10:26
Thought For The Night
“The essence of sin is the refusal to recognize that we are accountable to God at all.” Oswald Chambers
 
Evening Text
Luke 16:2: “What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward.”
Looking for Answers
 
Evening Study Guide
Defining:  “Stewardship” literally means management; thus a steward is a manager. Webster’s 1828 Dictionary says that a steward, “In Scripture and theology, is a minister of Christ, whose duty is to dispense the provisions of the gospel, to preach its doctrines and administer its ordinances.”
 
Referencing: “If you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?” Luke 16:11 NIV
 
Applying: Give an account to yourself of your stewardship, before you have to give an account to God.