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The Blessing Of Accountability

Friday, April 19

Luke 19:15-20 (NKJV)
““And so it was that when he returned, having received the kingdom, he then commanded these servants, to whom he had given the money, to be called to him, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading. Then came the first, saying, ‘Master, your mina has earned ten minas.’ And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant; because you were faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities.’ And the second came, saying, ‘Master, your mina has earned five minas.’ Likewise he said to him, ‘You also be over five cities.’ “Then another came, saying, ‘Master, here is your mina, which I have kept put away in a handkerchief.”
Devotion
Today’s bible verses take us through the teaching of The Parable of the Minas, much like the Parable of the Talents, Our Messiah Jesus teaches us the valuable lesson of good stewardship. 
Like many of Jesus' teachings, parables are based on life lessons that illustrate one or more instructive teachings that if applied correctly will change the way we live our lives. 

Good stewardship is based on our capacity to responsibly manage with care the resources that God has entrusted us which may include, our time, relationships, finances, and health etc. Biblical stewardship is often associated with wisdom, faithfulness, and dedication. The book of Matthew takes it a bit further by saying, good stewardship is a matter of the heart. Where your treasure is, there will also be your heart.  
Matthew 6:19-21 TLV “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in or steal. For where your treasure is, there will be your heart also.”

The bible also teaches us in 1 Peter 4:10, that God has created us with gifts (talents) for serving, whatever your talent is do not withhold using it to serve and bless others as we have been blessed, remember what God has given you is exclusively for His Glory! And the expansion of His Kingdom here on earth. 

The Bible in Colossians 3:23 says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”

The Parable of the mina represents 3 different patterns of living;
  • The first servant brought a good report. He did business with his master’s mina, and had ten more to show for it. This was an impressive 1000% increase. He was praised for being faithful in the little things. When we learn to be faithful in the little things God sees that we are ready for more.
  • The second servant brought another good report. He did business with his master’s mina and had five more to show for it – a 500% increase. Both servants demonstrated faithful handling of the master’s resources, they were rewarded accordingly not only with the words “Well done, good servant.” But with the number of cities, they were given authority over.
  • The third servant excused his disobedience by claiming that his master was so powerful that he did not need the servant’s help (you collect what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow). The unfaithful servant represents those who believed that because their Master was so mighty, He did not need their help. But the issue is not that He needed their help; the issue is the Master called the servants into partnership with his work.

The main point of this parable is clear; There is work to be done before Jesus comes for his church (The Body of Christ) so we must concentrate on being faithful and productive servants while waiting for his return.


Today’s Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
I am full of gratitude towards You for all You have done for me and have given to me. All that I have comes from you, all that I enjoy is because of Your Grace. I understand I was created for a higher purpose. Please help me not to waste or misuse what You have blessed me with. Help me to practice good stewardship in every area of my life. I want to be aware that everything I have comes from You. Increase my empathy and compassion, as well as my wisdom to know what to do with all of it. I am so happy to have this opportunity to serve You and glorify You by being a good steward. In the Name of Jesus, I pray, Amen.

Apply It Today
Our Master (Jesus) has gone away to a far country, and will one day return with his kingdom. In the meantime, we have been instructed to multiply what God has put in our hands. He is trusting us with the resources He has given us until He returns.
Today’s devotion challenges us to remember no matter what we have done or where we are at right now, there is always room to grow and expand. Ask God to guide you on where your resources will most benefit the body of Christ. Use your talents to serve others within the body of Christ, contributing to its well-being, remembering we are caretakers, not owners, of God’s blessings.

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