Life is a gift from God. We are each overseers over the time given to us. We are accountable for our actions, education, employment and finances. God expects us to learn to manage the assets of life, which is life itself.

ACCOUNTABILITY:

Romans 14:7-10 For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. 8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. 9 For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living. 10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? Or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ?

2Cor. 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

Matt. 18:13 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.

Matt. 25-14 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man traveling into a far country, which called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.

Matt. 25:15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.

Luke 16:1 And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods.

Steward is a term describing something about the nature of our Human experience.

Steward 3623 oikonomos, oy-kon-om'-os; from G3624 and the base of G355 1; a house-distributor (i.e. manager), or overseer, i.e. an employee in that capacity; by extension, a fiscal agent (treasurer); fig. a preacher (of the Gospel): chamberlain, governor, steward.

"And David assembled all the princes of Israel, the princes of the tribes, and the captains of the companies that ministered to the king by course, and the captains over the thousands and the stewards over all the substance and possession of the king. 1Chr.28:1

1Cor 4:1 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. 1Cor 4:2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

1Pet 4:10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

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.

He was called to give an account of his actions but was not treated with much regard. There seemed to be no room for defense and the owner or rich man was strictly judging him on hearsay evidence. How would any of us feel if this situation were true for us?

The circumstances he faced were tough unfair. How should we react to these kinds of events that threaten our personal livelihood; when injustice is done to us.”

Luke 16:3 Then the steward said within himself, what shall I do? For my lord taketh away from me the stewardship: I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed.

His removal symbolizes our life also being taken from the earth.

Luke 16:4 I am resolved what to do, that, when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.

What we do under pressure and hard circumstances represents our truest self in manifestation. He received such terrible news under the cloud of false accusation. Sometimes when a doctor finds an incurable disease in you and so we receive this news under the cloud of suspicion and guilt and feel as if it’s our own fault. Since death is the judgment upon all how should we live the time of our sojourn now?

1Peter 4:2 That he no longer should five the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.

Let's take note of the Steward's actions following the news of his dismissal

Luke 16:5-7 So he called every one of his lord's debtors unto him and said unto the first, How much owest thou unto my lord? 6 And he said, a hundred measures of oil. And he said unto him Take thy bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty. 7 Then said he to another, And how much owest thou? And he said, An hundred measures of wheat. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and write fourscore. Lord's debtors? Each of us He sought to make their relationship and burden easier.

In a related parable Jesus taught this about forgiveness.

Matt.18:34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. 35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

Luke 11:4 And forgive us our sins, for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us.

Matt.6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

John 20:23 Whose so ever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose so ever sins ye retain, they are retained. Note the authority with which the steward went about doing this work. Of all the possible responses to his dilemma he chose to act in GOODNESS and wisdom. His actions reflect the good will and purpose of his heart, also respecting and protecting the wealth that belonged to another.

We may think what we have belongs to us but the real nature of life is a gift. "For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. " 1Cor.6:20

"Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men." 1Cor.7:23

*For more information on this topic simply E-mail Peter Demetris at: pastorpeterd@comcast.net