WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE RESPONSIBLE?
I will explain it with Jesus’ parable. But before that, responsibility is made up of three (3) words. They are:
- RE
- SPONSOR
- ABILITY
What then is responsibility? To understand this we must first understand the three words that make up that one word—RE_SPONSOR_ABILITY.
WHO IS A SPONSOR?
A SPONSOR is a person or organization who invests into another (i.e. a sponsee). What do they invest? They invest an ABILITY into a sponsee expecting a RETURN on that ability or investment. Notice all the capitalized words.
WHAT IS AN ABILITY?
It is anything that enables a sponsee to do something that on their own they could not have done without the ability. This could be equipping someone with knowledge, know-how, money, capacity, education, grace etc. These are all types of abilities.
WHAT IS RE IN [RE]SPONSIBILITY?
RE is “a prefix, occurring originally in loanwords from Latin, used with the meaning “again” or “again and again” to indicate repetition, or with the meaning “back” to indicate withdrawal or backward motion”.
WHAT IS RESPONSIBILITY?
It is to conduct ones self in such manner as to be able to GIVE BACK AGAIN to a SPONSOR a RETURN on his or her investment in you when they come asking for an account to be made to them.
To be responsible is to be able to render proper account to a sponsor regarding the ability they sponsored you with.
Put differently, it is important to be responsible for anything that God entrust us with. This encompasses our finances, marriages, communities, jobs, children, friendships, the scriptures, etc. We will even give account for our words—how we used them—abnormally or properly according to the dictates of scripture.
Rom 14:12 KJV So then every one of us shall give ACCOUNT of himself to God.
Mat 12:36 AMP But I tell you, on the day of judgment MEN WILL HAVE TO GIVE ACCOUNT FOR EVERY IDLE (inoperative, nonworking) WORD they speak.
BIBLICAL CASES FROM JESUS’ PARABLES
Jesus is the foundation of His body—for no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is [already] laid, which is Jesus Christ. He is our King and Lord. The entire NT are summarized in his words. He often taught in parables. This is how he hid certain truths from those to whom it had not been given to know the mysteries of God.
Two of the parables focused on RESPONSIBLE STEWARDSHIP. One is the parable of the Talents in Matthew 25:14-30. The other was Luke 19:11-27 – The Parable of the Ten Minas.
Each explains the consequence for being responsible or irresponsible.
CONSEQUENCE FOR RESPONSIBILITY
Mat 25:21 AMP His master said to him, well done, you upright (honorable, admirable) and faithful servant! you have been faithful and trustworthy over a little; I will put you in charge of much. Enter into and share the joy (the delight, the blessedness) which your master enjoys.
Mat 25:29 AMP For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will be furnished richly so that he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have will be taken away.
The consequence of responsibility—being faithful with what is entrusted unto a person by God is blessing, approval and multiplication. It includes entering into and sharing the joy (the delight, the blessedness) which your master enjoys.
CONSEQUENCE FOR IRRESPONSIBILITY
The consequence for irresponsibility is loss, disapproval and outer darkness.
Mat 25:26-30 AMP
(26) But his master answered him, YOU WICKED AND LAZY AND IDLE SERVANT! Did you indeed know that I reap where I have not sowed and gather [grain] where I have not winnowed?
(27) Then you should have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received what was my own with interest.
(28) So take the talent away from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents.
(29) For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will be furnished richly so that he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have will be taken away.
(30) And throw the good-for-nothing servant into the outer darkness; there will be weeping and grinding of teeth.
Mat 7:22-23 AMP
(22) Many will say to Me on that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name and driven out demons in Your name and done many mighty works in Your name?
(23) And then I will say to them openly (publicly), I NEVER KNEW YOU; DEPART FROM ME, you who act wickedly [disregarding My commands]. [Ps. 6:8.]
Each one of us’ work will be judged, test and critically appraise by fire when the time comes. Let us build responsibly so we can be blessed and approved of by our Master.
1Co 3:11-15 AMP
(11) For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is [already] laid, which is Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).
(12) But if anyone builds upon the Foundation, whether it be with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw,
(13) The work of each [one] will become [plainly, openly] known (shown for what it is); for the day [of Christ] will disclose and declare it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test and critically appraise the character and worth of the work each person has done.
(14) If
the work which any person has built on this Foundation [any product of his efforts whatever] survives [this test], he will get his reward.
(15) But if any person’s work is burned up [under the test], HE WILL SUFFER THE LOSS [OF IT ALL, LOSING HIS REWARD], though he himself will be saved, but only as [one who has passed] through fire. [Job 23:10.]
WHAT IF?
What if I have been living irresponsibly in some area of my life, is there no hope for me? There is always hope in Christ. Listen to the following scripture and heed it. Mean business with God and he will mean business to you.
1Jn 1:9-10 AMP If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action].
There is always forgiveness for those who seek it.
God bless you richly and SHALOM!
Very detailed information on responsibility and clarity of explanation. Indeed a lot is expected of one given a responsibility. Rewards assured. Thanks to God for Her s mercy for failure to be responsible. Most grateful, Rabbi, for the teaching.