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.â€?

The first part of this verse applies to all of us, the second part will apply to each one of us before long.  Give an account of thy stewardship is a command addressed both to the godly and to the ungodly.

Yes there is the final accounting at the judgment seat of Christ, but how about now?

Some reasons why we should give an account today.

We need to come face to face with ourselves.  I believe we need to give an account each day.  But since some may have been lax in this, may I remind you that we are at the close of another year and the beginning of a new year.  And it seems most suitable that before we cross over into another year we take stock.  And give an account of our lives this year.

And if you are reluctant, then I will press you all the more.  For you see it is those who are insolvent who do not want to look at the books.  So you see, if we don’t want to look at the past, there probably is a reason.  No, my friend, don’t be like the preverbal ostrich with your head in the sand refusing to see the danger.

How we despise a doctor who flatters us instead of telling us the truth.  My friend, don’t let your heart flatter you any longer.  Let’s face the issue and say – “I’m going to make an honest account and see if I am doing God’s will or not.â€?  What an awful thing to hear the Master say - “Give an account of thy stewardship, for thou mayest be no longer steward.”

This may come about in various ways.  Put on a shelf because of unfaithfulness, remembering that you could have done better.  Oh how sad sometimes not to be able to relive the yesterdays, having your wealth taken away because you refused to use it for the glory of God.  To lose it because of an unwise investment is one thing, but to know that by the providence of God it has been taken away because you have been an unfit steward is another thing.

And then there are those to whom God can not lend money to because He knows you would lock it up and refuse to use it for the cause of Christ.  Oh hear the Masters voice – “Thou mayest no longer be steward.” Yes, our stewardship may end before we die, the parent whose little ones are removed from them. – “Thou mayest no longer be steward.”

The teacher whose class is scattered. – “Thou mayest no longer be steward.”

The one whose job is taken from him. – “Thou mayest no longer be steward.”

Let us grasp each moment as a golden opportunity for service for the Master lest He say unto us – “Thou mayest no longer be steward.”

Then our stewardship may be taken from us in another way. There comes a time when we must all die.  There will not be many months go by until some of us here will come to the end of the road of life and will face the Lord to give an account.  So it is with each one – the Pastor, the deacons, the members.

Do not put it away as though it can’t happen.  It may come upon us suddenly before we get gray hairs.  It may come when you are in the prime of life that the Lord will require your final accounting.  Let me ask you, could you draw your feet up in bed and face eternity without fear of the accounting:

Hear the cry – “Give an account for thou mayest no longer be steward.”