Accountable

“Then another servant came and said, ‘Sir, here is your mina; I have kept it laid away in a piece of cloth. I was afraid of you, because you are a hard man. You take out what you did not put in and reap what you did not sow.’

“His master replied, ‘I will judge you by your own words, you wicked servant! You knew, did you, that I am a hard man, taking out what I did not put in, and reaping what I did not sow? Why then didn’t you put my money on deposit, so that when I came back, I could have collected it with interest?’

“Then he said to those standing by, ‘Take his mina away from him and give it to the one who has ten minas.’”
(Luke 19:20-24)

The faithful go about their Master’s business with eagerness awaiting His sure return. There is much work for every Christian to do and there is need to set about it swiftly losing no time. At Christ’s ascension He took care to furnish His Church with all things needed until His return.

“He gave to some more, to others less; to everyone according to his own ability. When Divine Providence has made a difference in men’s ability, grace dispenses spiritual gifts accordingly, but still the ability itself is from Him. Everyone had some one talent at least, and that is not a despicable stock for a poor servant to begin with. A soul of our own is the one talent we are every one of us entrusted with, and it will find us with work.”
(Matthew Henry)

You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.” But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today. (Deuteronomy 8:17-18)

Certainly a pride stripper for each one of us, is it not? Everything comes from God’s hand and is intended for His glory. Sadly, somehow along the way, we have become confused. We must remember that God has a purpose for what He has poured into us. The servant in our verses today forgot that he was accountable to the master.

Take It to Heart

The failure of the servant to put his talents to work was an indication of his lack of faith in the master’s response to him upon his certain return. The servant failed to put forth any effort to improve the lot given him. None will be called to account for more than they have received, but for what we have received we will surely be called upon to give an accounting.

Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. (Hebrews 4:13)

“You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” (Luke 12:40)

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