Accountable to the Lord

September 30, 2017

Accountable to the Lord

Matthew 25:14-30

In the parable of the talents, the master gave three servants an assignment to carry out in his absence, along with the resources to accomplish it. Upon his return, he asked for an accounting of what they’d done.

From this parable, we can deduce several principles about the Christian life. First, God has chosen us to be His servants. Second, He has prepared work for us to do, and He supplies the assets and abilities we’ll need to achieve it. Some of His work is applicable to all believers—such as loving Him through service, showing love to others, and making disciples. Other aspects are specific to the individual, utilizing each one’s unique talents and skills. Finally, the Lord blesses all who obey Him. Pleased by the obedience of the first two servants, the master in the parable recompensed them accordingly. We, too, are promised a heavenly reward for our faithful service.

Being a good steward of what God has entrusted to us is a serious matter. He wants us to invest in His kingdom plan rather than overcommitting time to earthly matters or overspending on the pursuit of pleasure. You might wonder about the third servant, who did nothing with his talent and was cast out of his master’s presence. This cannot happen to believers, for we are permanently adopted into God’s family. But the Lord will hold us accountable.

Through Jesus Christ, we have everything we need for life and godliness (2 Pet. 1:3). With His help, we can move past our self-centered ways to carry out God’s plan. Do you long to obey the Lord above all else? Are you prepared to stand before Him and give account for your life?

Bible in One Year: Zechariah 6-10