Give an account of thy stewardship

Luke 16:2  And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward.

A steward is one who is placed in charge over the household of his master. He himself owns nothing. Yet, all the goods and possessions of his master are entrusted to his hands to care for and to use to the best possible advantage of his master.

But, some stewards are dishonest. Some steal from their masters. Some did not manage well the master’s possession and incurred losses for the master. Here is the parable of a dishonest steward. He was wasting his lord's goods. The word “wasted” in verse 1 is the same Greek word used in Luke 15:13 where the younger son was said to waste his substance with riotous living. He wasted his father’s money by careless spending.

This dishonest steward’s master heard of his servant’s mismanagement of his goods and called him to question: “Give an account of thy stewardship.”

We are God’s stewards. Nothing that we have belongs to us. We read in Haggai 2:8: "The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the LORD of hosts" And in Psalm 24:1: "The earth is the LORD's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.” Indeed, all things, even our bodies, they belong to God. And, all will be called to such an account when we meet Him on the Judgement Day (2 Cor 5:10). 

All our TIME belongs to GOD. He will hold us accountable as to how we have used it. If God were to say today: "Give an account of your Time." Would it be time well spent or wasted? Think about it, how did we use our time yesterday? We will be accountable for every minute God has given us. Are we redeeming, that is, making the best use of the time that God has given to us? (Eph 5:16). Or, have we been wasting away the time?

The Psalmist wrote: "So teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom" (Psa 90:12). He is asking God to teach him how to use his time wisely. Let us use our time wisely, and for God too.

All our TALENTS belong to God. He will hold us accountable as to how we have used them. If God were to say today: "Give an account of your TALENTS." What would be our answer?
“I am busy with my work.”
“I have done my share over the years; I don’t have time right now.”
“My family needs me.”

Brethren, God is looking for ACTION, not EXCUSES. God gives us talents so that we can make a living and also to serve Him. Many use the talents that God has given them to make a living and excel in it; but few use those talents to serve God. God will call us to account for the talents on the judgment day.

Our POSSESSIONS belong to God. He will hold us accountable as to how we have used them. If God were to say today: "Give an account of your POSSESSIONS." What would be our answer?
“I have used the money to build a bigger house and buy a bigger car.”
“I have used the money on my vacation.”
“I am saving up for my children and grandchildren.”

God will reply: “Is there anything for me?” God is not satisfied with the crumbs that fell on the table. Yet, some are giving God the crumbs. Our monies and possessions belong to God. He wants us to take care of the poor saints and pay the preachers and missionaries (Gal 6:10; 1 Cor 9:14).

Let us be diligent. Let us use our time, our possessions, and our talents, to His service. God is worthy of our service. Those things belong to Him. We are to use them to serve Him: “Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve” (Matt 4:10).

When God comes and asks you to give account of your stewardship, may you hear with grace the Lord say: "Well done, good and faithful servant. Thou hast been faithful over a few things. I will make thee inherit the true riches of glory. Enter into the joy of thy Lord" (Matt 25:21).

Jimmy Lau
Psa 119:97  Oh how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.