Responsibility & Accountability

Lesson 7 of 12 in the Man of God series

“It’s a dirty job, but someone’s gotta do it.”

That cliche has been said for ages by millions of people talking about millions of different situations. A “dirty job” may refer to a job that is literally filthy, and the person doing the job will probably get messy too. However, a “dirty job” can also just mean the job is unpleasant. Can you think of unpleasant jobs that you have had to do? What about an unpleasant job that you would hate to do. What would happen if those jobs just never got done? The reality is sometimes we work, take on tasks, or complete jobs not because we want to but for no other reason than it needs to get done. That’s called, “being responsible” or “taking responsibility.”  

This lesson will explain why and how a man of God learns to accept and even appreciate his responsibility as well as what it means to be held accountable. 

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Part 1: Learn Responsibility

We all begin life completely dependent on our parents or adult caregivers to make sure we have the essential needs (food, water, shelter, and clothing). However, part of growing up includes (or at least, should include) becoming less reliant on others and more responsible for our own needs and wants. We sometimes refer to this as “pulling our own weight,” but what we’re really talking about is WORK. God’s Word says it’s our responsibility to work.

“...for each will have to bear his own load.” -Galatians 6:5  

“...anyone who refuses to work should not eat.” -2 Thessalonians 3:10

“The Lord God put the man in the garden of Eden to care for it and work it.” -Genesis 2:15

Look at that last verse again. Genesis 2:15 doesn’t say, “God was mad at man. So, He put Adam to work.” No. This was still during creation and before man sinned; God trusted man to take care of the land. He also made man responsible for naming all of the animals. Not just that…

"God blessed them and said, 'Have many children and grow in number. Fill the earth and be its master. Rule over the fish in the sea and over the birds in the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.' "- Genesis 1:28

Adam’s response was, “Aw. Do we have to?” That’s when Eve chimed in. “Yeah, why do we have to do everything?” 

Just kidding. The Bible records no complaints from Adam or Eve about the need to work. Perhaps God created them with an understanding, maybe even an appreciation for work. Picture what Adam might have been thinking; ‘Wow. You created all of this, and you’re trusting me to take care of it? Of course I’m going to do my best.’  

Taking care of what God has given us is called stewardship, and it is our responsibility to be good stewards of His many blessings while they last. This includes using our physical health and strength while we still can; taking care of the earth instead of letting it waste away; and providing love and care for others while we still have them. 

Look at the last part of that sentence again. Not only should we all grow up and learn to take care of ourselves; it’s a sign of maturity for men of God to think, care, and work for something bigger than ourselves. That includes taking responsibility and working for our family, the church, our community, our country, or our world. 

“If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” - 1 Timothy 5:8

Hopefully, you’re beginning to view work and responsibility differently than you always have. Instead of dreading work and treating it like a bother or punishment, try approaching your responsibilities more as a sign of maturity, and an appreciation for what God has given you. Recognize work as a privilege that others only wish they had, and learn to take pride in a job well done.  

How might having the right attitude towards work affect how we do our jobs?

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”  - Col 3:23

Too many people are looking for the easy way out, but a man of God recognizes the value of an honest day’s work. 

“Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.” - Ephesians 4:28

Even if you never develop a love for work, it’s important that you don’t become lazy. 

"The lazy will not get what they want, but those who work hard will." - Proverbs 13:4

"Lazy farmers don’t plow when they should; they expect a harvest, but there is none." - Proverbs 20:4

"Go watch the ants, you lazy person. Watch what they do and be wise." - Proverbs 6:6

Being lazy isn’t just unwise. It’s sinful and is the opposite of what God put us on Earth to do. 

“...stay away from any believer who refuses to work and does not follow the teaching we gave you. You yourselves know that you should live as we live. We were not lazy when we were with you. And when we ate another person’s food, we always paid for it. We worked very hard night and day so we would not be an expense to any of you. We had the right to ask you to help us, but we worked to take care of ourselves so we would be an example for you to follow.” - 2 Thessalonians 3:6-9 

"The master answered, ‘You are a wicked and lazy servant!' Then the master said, ‘Throw that useless servant outside, into the darkness where people will cry and grind their teeth with pain.’  "- Matthew 25: 26, 30

It’s important to know that these examples are talking both about earthly work and kingdom work… or work that leads to saving souls and growing God’s kingdom. In many ways, this is the most important work.  

“Don’t work for the food that spoils. Work for the food that stays good always and gives eternal life. The Son of Man will give you this food, because on him God the Father has put his power.” - John 6:27

We’ll learn more about kingdom work and our responsibility to “go and make disciples” (Matthew 28:19) in a later lesson. 

Part 2: Learn Accountability

In part 1 of this lesson, we learned that we all have certain responsibilities. It’s important to know that we are and will continue to be held accountable for our work. 

You probably hear the word count as the root word of accountable. So, to be held accountable means we must answer or give an account for how we’re doing. Though our lives are more than merely a numbers game in which we count whether we did more good than bad, there is a sense of recognizing our victories while counting the rewards as well as recognizing our failures and counting the cost.  

Adam was the first person who had to give an account as to whether he had disobeyed God. 

God asked, “Who told you that you were naked? Did you eat fruit from the tree from which I commanded you not to eat?” The man said, “You gave this woman to me and she gave me fruit from the tree, so I ate it.” - Genesis 3:11-12

Though he tried to blame Eve and God, Adam ultimately had to pay the price for his sin. 

“So, the Lord God forced Adam out of the garden of Eden to work the ground from which he was taken.” - Genesis 3:23

Remember, Adam was already a worker in the garden. However, once he was kicked out because of his sin, his work got a lot tougher.

“You will have to work very hard for your food. In pain you will eat its food all the days of your life. The ground will produce thorns and weeds for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. You will sweat and work hard for your food.” - Genesis 3:17-19

God wasn’t being mean. He was holding Adam accountable. As we learned in a previous lesson, God is gracious but just and, therefore, must hold people accountable.

“So, then each of us will give an account of himself to God.” - Romans 14:12 

Let’s think back to Adam’s attempt to blame others for his mistake. The blame game is still a popular excuse for bad decisions. People often think of themselves as victims and, therefore, think they shouldn’t be held accountable. However, God’s Word makes it clear…

"The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself." -Ezekiel 18:20  

Okay, but what is the relationship between accountability and work/responsibility? Remember, sin isn’t just when we do bad things (sins of commission). It’s also when we fail to do the good things (sins of omission). We have a responsibility to do good, and we will be held accountable for whether we did our best or not. 

“So, whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.” - James 4:17  

“We must all stand before Christ to be judged. Each of us will receive what we should get—good or bad—for the things we did in the earthly body.” - 2 Corinthians 5:10  

It’s important to understand that we will be held accountable for the choices we make here on earth, but it’s also important that we don’t forget previous lessons on God’s grace. No matter how hard we try, we’ll never be perfect. Fortunately, God’s grace through Christ’s blood is strong enough to power wash away our sins. He died for us. It is our responsibility and pleasure to live and work for Him. 

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Conclusion

Our responsibility to properly care for and cultivate blessings from God isn’t a punishment; it’s a privilege. We will all someday give an account for whether we did the work or were lazy - living only for our own comfort.