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Topic: Responsibility
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Carol Swenson
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Member # 6929
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After killing his brother Abel and lying about it, Cain asked, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” He was dodging both responsibility and accountability, a practice that’s becoming very popular today. A bumper sticker announces, “The Devil made me do it” and people smile when they read it. When our first parents sinned, they ran and hid from God, and when they were confronted with their sin, they blamed others. Finally, they had to take the responsibility for what they had done, and with responsibility came hope and promise. Irresponsible people may run away, make excuses, cover up, or blame others, but if they do, they will never know the meaning of healthy character, integrity, a clear conscience, and the joy of walking with God.
Posts: 6787 | From: Colorado | Registered: Dec 2007
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Carol Swenson
Admin
Member # 6929
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posted
RESPONSIBILITY
What are the qualities of a responsible person?
But David said to God, “I am the one who has sinned. Please forgive me, for I realize now how wrong I was to do this.” (1 Chronicles 21:8, TLB)
Responsible people admit their wrongs . When David realized his sin, he took full responsibility, admitted he was wrong, and asked God to forgive him. Many people want to add God and the benefits of Christianity to their life without acknowledging their personal sin and guilt. But confession and repentance must come before receiving forgiveness. Like David, we must take full responsibility for our actions and confess them to God before we can expect him to forgive us and continue his work in us.
Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going into another country, who called together his servants and loaned them money to invest for him while he was gone. (Matthew 25:14, TLB)
Responsible people are faithful with what they have been given . The master divided the money among his servants according to their abilities. No one received more or less than he could handle. If he failed in his assignment, his excuse could not be that he was overwhelmed. Failure could come only from laziness or hatred toward the master. The talents represent any kind of resource we are given. God gives us time, gifts, and other resources according to our abilities, and he expects us to invest them wisely until he returns . We are responsible to use well what God has given us. The issue is not how much we have, but how well we use what we have.
Responsible people plan for the future . This parable describes the consequences of two attitudes to Christ’s return. The person who diligently prepares for it by investing his or her time and talent to serve God will be rewarded. The person who has no heart for the work of the kingdom will be punished. God rewards faithfulness. Those who bear no fruit for God’s kingdom cannot expect to be treated the same as those who are faithful.
Now look around among yourselves, dear brothers, and select seven men, wise and full of the Holy Spirit, who are well thought of by everyone; and we will put them in charge of this business. Then we can spend our time in prayer, preaching, and teaching. (Acts 6:3-4, TLB)
Responsible people know their abilities and their limitations . As the early church increased in size, so did its needs. One great need was to organize the distribution of food to the poor. The apostles needed to focus on preaching, so they chose others to administer the food program. Each person has a vital part to play in the life of the church (see 1 Corinthians 12). If you are in a position of leadership and find yourself overwhelmed by responsibilities, determine your God-given abilities and priorities and then find others to help. If you are not in leadership, you have gifts that can be used by God in various areas of the church’s ministry. Offer these gifts in service to him.
Responsible people share the work load . The apostles’ priorities were correct. The ministry of the Word should never be neglected because of administrative burdens. Pastors should not try—or be expected to try—to do everything. Instead, the work of the church should be spread out among its members.
(Handbook Of Bible Application)
Posts: 6787 | From: Colorado | Registered: Dec 2007
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