Accountability

“Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.” 1 Corinthians 4:2
We are each accountable to God for how we use the things He gives us. He has entrusted us with many things. We are accountable for how we use the money and resources that He sends our way. Do we use them to further His kingdom, or do we only spend them on ourselves? He also gives us opportunities to minister to others. Do we make the most of those opportunities, or do we shy away? We need to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit urging us in these areas. If we have been given a position, we are to serve faithfully in it. We are also accountable to God for the knowledge we receive. If we know we ought to do something and fail to, we are more accountable than someone who does not know it and fails to do it (Luke 12:47-48).
These themes are throughout the Bible. Consider the parable of the talents (Matt. 25:15ff). Each of the three servants was given a certain amount, according to his ability. The first two gained 100% return and were rewarded equally. The third hid what he had been given, and was reprimanded.
The promise to the first two servants was, “You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.” Anything that God gives us charge over in this life is small change compared with eternity. If we prove that we are faithful here and now, we will receive an eternal reward.