Luke 12:42-48, RESPONSIBILITY vs. unreliability (1)

1)    Def.: Knowing and doing what both God and others are expecting from me.

2)    Scripture: Rom. 14:12; 1 Cor. 4:1-5; Rev. 2:28; 20:12; 22:12; Job 34:11; Ps. 62:12 (plus others listed in the Bible Study section).

3)    Underlying principle: There are relationships in life, with God and with those He has ordained, in which we are held responsible (accountable).

4)    Illustration: 1 Sam. 10:8; 13:8-14.  This is a powerful story on the subject of responsibility.  All too often we want to offer excuses for our mistakes.  King Saul was very good at this, making excuses.  In 10:8 Samuel told Saul to wait in Gilgal and in seven days he would arrive and “show” Saul what to do.  Samuel was late, at least in Saul’s eyes.  Saul’s excuse was that the people were starting to scatter.  It is interesting that we are not told why Samuel was late.  After all, he did say “seven days.”  But apparently it doesn’t matter.  Early or late, Saul was to wait so Samuel could show Saul the way.  As you see in the text, Saul acted foolishly and forfeited God’s blessing of a dynasty in Israel.

5)    Bible Study:

a)    Responsibility is best understood in the realm of “stewardship.”  What three things are present in a stewardship relationship (Luke. 12:42-48).

i)      Some to be responsible to, the householder.

ii)   A job description (what is expected of me).  As 1 Cor. 4:2 puts it, the issue is, “will I be faithful to do what I have agreed to do.”

iii)            A time of accountability, when there will be reward or punishment.

b)    Let’s begin at the “top.”  Who is accountable to God?  Rom. 2:5-6 says God, the Judge of all mankind (because He is the Creator of all mankind) will judge each according to his deeds.  Jer. 32:19 indicates that every facet of our lives is open to God’s judgment, for His eyes are open to all the ways of the sons of men.  There will be room for no excuses or exceptions.

c)    Matt. 16:27 says what the previous passages said: God will judge us for our actions, our works.  But what about those “works” matters to God?

i)      Isa. 3:10-11; Ezek. 18:30: The ethical character of those works (is it righteous or wicked.)

ii)   Prov. 16:2: The motive that led us to do those works.

iii)            2 Cor. 5:10: The usefulness of those works in glorifying God.  That is the meaning of  “good” in this verse: was it the best way to glorify God.

iv) Gal. 6:7-8: Where did the power come from in doing these works?  Was it from my own “best I can” flesh or from God?

More on this question in the next post.