The Responsibility that Shapes Us

Peter said, “Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for all?” And the Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom his master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. But if that servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed in coming,’ and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and get drunk, the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces and put him with the unfaithful. And that servant who knew his master’s will but did not get ready or act according to his will, will receive a severe beating. But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more” (Luke 12:41-48).

Peter asked Jesus if His exhortation to live everyday with an earnest anticipation of his presence and power was just for the disciples or for everyone. Jesus answered with a description of the kind of servant leadership all true disciples should reflect in light of the great blessing and responsibility we have received in Him. If we agree that true disciples are becoming more like their Teacher… “A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher” (Luke 6:40), then we expect true disciples to display a different kind of relationship toward people, possessions, and the Lord Himself. Here, Jesus told Peter and all disciples that our lives should be an increasingly clear reflection of the Son of God as we are transformed by the responsibility that shapes us.

Maturing disciples are marked by stewardship toward possessions. While others believe they actually own the material things they have accumulated, truly born again disciples understand that everything that exists was created by God for His pleasure and glory… “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created” (Revelation 4:11). We believe that possession is a fleeting, temporary thing. Whatever blessing we have in received from God, whether little or much, He wants us to use it to express Christ-like generosity toward others… “You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God” (2 Corinthians 9:11). Christian stewardship is treating our possessions as His blessings and using them for His work, and it is a precious way to confirm His gospel and to glorify God… “By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others” (2 Corinthians 9:13).

Maturing disciples are marked by sympathy toward people. While others are consumed with living for self, truly born again disciples have a heart that has been captured and is now controlled by the love of Jesus Christ… “For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised” (2 Corinthians 5:14-15). Selfishness died with our old sin nature and we are now raised with Christ, whose Spirit grants us sympathy by making us sensitive and responsive to the hurts and needs of others… “Who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God” (2 Corinthians 1:4).

Maturing disciples are marked by submission toward Christ. While others are distracted by the cares of this world, truly born again disciples are focused on meeting Jesus Christ one day soon. We live today to hear Him say on that day… “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master” (Matthew 25:21).

As we grow up into Christ, we become a sharper reflection of Him as we are transformed by…

The Responsibility that Shapes Us.