Grace and Accountability: A Call to Faithful Stewardship

Devotional

Day 1: Grace Comes with Accountability

Grace is a gift from God, but it also brings with it a responsibility to live in a way that honors the gift and the Giver. When God entrusts us with His grace, He is not simply overlooking our shortcomings, but giving us a second chance to choose a new way of life—one that reflects His character and love. This grace is not a license to do as we please, but an invitation to steward what we have been given, to care for others, and to live in readiness for His return. The opportunity of grace is a call to action, to be faithful with what has been entrusted to us, knowing that we will one day give an account for how we responded to His generosity. [21:10]

Luke 12:48 (ESV)
"But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more."

Reflection: In what area of your life have you been given much—whether resources, influence, or spiritual understanding—and how can you intentionally use that today to serve someone else?

Day 2: Be Ready and Keep Your Lamps Lit

Readiness is not a passive waiting but an active preparation, a daily choice to keep your heart and life aligned with God’s purposes. Jesus calls us to be like servants who are alert and prepared for their master’s return, not distracted by the cares or comforts of this world. This means setting aside our own plans and desires, resisting the pull of greed or self-sufficiency, and instead living with a sense of expectation and purpose. Being ready is about living each day as if Jesus could return at any moment, making sure that our lives reflect His love and our hope in Him. [25:00]

Luke 12:35 (ESV)
"Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning."

Reflection: What is one distraction or habit you need to set aside today in order to be more spiritually alert and ready for what God wants to do in and through you?

Day 3: Serving Others as Faithful Stewards

True readiness for Christ’s return is shown in how we care for those around us. The faithful steward in Jesus’ parable not only watched over the house but also ensured that the other servants were cared for and provided for. Our calling is not just to look after ourselves, but to serve our brothers and sisters, to build up the community of faith, and to meet the needs of those God has placed in our lives. We cannot do this alone; we need each other, and together we prepare a place for the Master’s return by loving and serving one another. [33:25]

Luke 12:42-44 (ESV)
"And the Lord said, 'Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom his master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions.'"

Reflection: Who in your community or church family can you encourage or serve today, and what specific action can you take to help meet their needs?

Day 4: The Power to Be Ready Comes from God

Being ready for Christ’s return and living a life of accountability is not something we do in our own strength. Jesus promises that the Holy Spirit will empower us to be His witnesses and to live out the calling He has placed on our lives. Even when readiness feels difficult or costly, God provides everything we need—strength, wisdom, love, and forgiveness—to walk in obedience. We are not left alone; the Spirit equips us to lay down our own plans, overcome our weaknesses, and be prepared for the day when the Master returns. [36:28]

Acts 1:8 (ESV)
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

Reflection: Where do you feel weak or unprepared in your walk with God, and how can you invite the Holy Spirit to empower you in that area today?

Day 5: Grace Invites Us into Community and Celebration

God’s grace is not just about individual salvation; it draws us into a community where we are called to love, serve, and celebrate together. When the Master returns and finds His servants ready, He doesn’t just acknowledge their faithfulness—He celebrates it, even serving them Himself. This reversal shows the heart of God: He delights in our readiness and in the way we care for one another. Being ready is hard, but it is also joyful, because it means sharing in the life and celebration of God’s family. We are invited to lay down our self-interest and join in the work and joy of the community of faith. [34:56]

Romans 12:10-13 (ESV)
"Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality."

Reflection: What is one way you can help foster a spirit of celebration, encouragement, or hospitality in your church or community this week?

Sermon Summary

Grace and accountability are often seen as opposites, but in truth, they are deeply intertwined in the life of a follower of Jesus. The story of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a man born into privilege and intellect, illustrates this connection. Though he could have remained in safety and comfort, Bonhoeffer chose to return to Nazi Germany, risking his life to stand with the persecuted church and ultimately paying the highest price. His life reminds us that to whom much is given, much is required—not just in material blessings, but in spiritual opportunity and responsibility.

Jesus’ words in Luke 12 challenge us to be prepared, to keep our lamps lit, and to live as faithful stewards of all we have received. The parable of the servants makes clear that grace is not a license for complacency or self-indulgence. Instead, grace is the gift of a second chance—a new opportunity to live in alignment with God’s will, to serve others, and to reflect the character of Christ. The one who knows the master’s will and acts on it is not only accepted but celebrated. Yet, those who ignore or abuse this grace face real consequences.

We live in a time and place where much has been entrusted to us—safety, resources, community, and above all, the knowledge of God’s love and salvation. This abundance is not just for our own benefit, but for the good of others and the glory of God. The call is to readiness, not just in personal piety, but in active service and care for those around us. Readiness is not easy; it requires laying down greed, self-direction, and comfort. But Jesus promises the power of the Holy Spirit to help us live out this calling. When the master returns, he is looking for those who have been faithful with what they have received, who have cared for their fellow servants, and who are ready to welcome him with joy.

Key Takeaways

1. Grace and Accountability Are Inseparable Grace is not merely a free pass; it is the gift of a new beginning that comes with the responsibility to live differently. When God entrusts us with his grace, he also calls us to steward it well, not for our own gain, but for the sake of others and his kingdom. True grace always leads to a life of accountability before God and others. [19:09]
2. Privilege Demands Purposeful Action Like Bonhoeffer, those who have received much—whether in resources, safety, or spiritual knowledge—are called to use their privilege for the good of others. It is not enough to simply acknowledge our blessings; we must ask how we can leverage them to serve, protect, and uplift those who are vulnerable or oppressed. Our response to what we have been given reveals the depth of our discipleship. [06:11]
3. Readiness Requires Community and Sacrifice Being ready for the master’s return is not a solitary endeavor. The faithful steward in Jesus’ parable cared for the whole household, ensuring everyone was prepared. Readiness means setting aside personal ambition and comfort, embracing accountability to one another, and working together to create a community that reflects Christ’s love and justice. [34:13]
4. Complacency and Self-Reliance Lead to Loss Jesus warns that those who use their position for self-indulgence or who ignore their responsibilities will ultimately be cut off. Grace is not a shield for apathy or selfishness; it is an invitation to transformation. To cling to our own way is to step outside the blessings God desires to give, forfeiting the joy of being celebrated by the master. [18:00]
5. The Holy Spirit Empowers Our Readiness Jesus does not leave us to fulfill this calling in our own strength. The promise of the Holy Spirit is the promise of power to serve, to love, to forgive, and to remain vigilant. Readiness is possible not because of our own ability, but because God equips us with everything we need to be faithful stewards until he returns. [36:28]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:24] - The Life and Privilege of Dietrich Bonhoeffer
[03:51] - Hitler’s Control of the German Church
[06:11] - Bonhoeffer’s Return and the Confessing Church
[06:50] - Sacrifice, Imprisonment, and Legacy
[08:10] - Jesus’ Teaching on Greed and Trust
[10:46] - The Danger of Self-Reliance
[11:57] - Christ’s Call to Servanthood
[18:00] - The Parable of the Faithful and Unfaithful Servant
[19:09] - Grace, Accountability, and the Tree of Life
[21:10] - Stewardship and the House of God
[25:00] - Be Ready: The Wedding Feast Analogy
[28:09] - The Master’s Surprising Reward
[32:08] - Living Ready in a Distracting World
[34:13] - Readiness, Community, and Celebration
[36:28] - The Power of the Holy Spirit to Be Ready

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Luke 12:35-48 — (Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning... From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.)

- Acts 1:7-8
(“It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses...”)

Observation Questions

In the parable Jesus tells in Luke 12, what are the different ways the servants respond to the master’s absence? What happens to each type of servant?
According to the sermon, what privileges did Dietrich Bonhoeffer have, and how did he choose to use them?
What does Jesus say is required of those who have been given much?
What role does the Holy Spirit play in helping believers be ready, according to Acts 1:8 and the sermon?

Interpretation Questions

Why does Jesus connect grace with accountability in the parable of the servants? What does this reveal about God’s expectations for those who receive his grace?
The sermon says, “Grace is not a license for complacency or self-indulgence.” How does this challenge common ideas about what it means to live under grace?
How does Bonhoeffer’s decision to return to Germany illustrate the principle “to whom much is given, much is required”? What might this look like in a modern context?
The sermon mentions that readiness is not a solitary endeavor but requires community and sacrifice. Why is community so important for living out this calling?

Application Questions

The sermon points out that we live in a place of safety and abundance. What are some specific privileges or resources you have that others might not? How might God be calling you to use them for others?
Is there an area of your life where you have been tempted to use God’s grace as an excuse for complacency or self-focus? What would it look like to respond differently this week?
The parable in Luke 12 shows that the faithful servant cared for the whole household, not just himself. Who in your “household” (family, church, neighborhood) might need your care or support right now?
Readiness required the servants to keep their lamps lit and be prepared for the master’s return. What is one practical step you can take this week to be more spiritually “ready”?
The sermon says that being ready isn’t easy and requires laying down comfort, greed, and self-direction. What is one comfort or habit you sense God asking you to lay down so you can serve him and others more fully?
The Holy Spirit empowers us to live out our calling. Is there an area where you feel weak or unable to do what God is asking? How can you invite the Holy Spirit’s help in that area?
Bonhoeffer’s life was marked by purposeful action in response to privilege. What is one action you can take this month to stand with or serve someone who is vulnerable or in need?

Sermon Clips

He was still full of faith, he was still calm, he still trusted in God and felt like what he was doing was the right thing and had no regrets for the actions that he took that ultimately landed him in a concentration camp. He was ready and he was prepared and he was willing to do what God wanted to do. [00:08:36] (26 seconds)

He was willing to go and to be obedient to the cross and to die for our sins and to lay his life down and so what he's asking for us to do is lay down what we think life is and attach to him and learn what newness of life really is. [00:12:12] (20 seconds)

Grace is that, you know, you're not worthy to be in the garden. You're not worthy to eat of the tree of life because you decided to go another way. But I'm going to give you another opportunity. [00:20:28] (15 seconds)

So grace doesn't replace accountability. It gives us that second chance. It gives us the opportunity to know what a changed life is. It gives us the opportunity to be, instead of living a life where we are forced into our life and existence by our experiences, by the world around us, by sin, we can instead make our own choice and say, I don't want this anymore. I'm sick of this. I want a different life. He's given me a new life. [00:24:30] (34 seconds)

If you would just simply take that opportunity, learn of me, understand of me, love one another, practice justice, like express my love to others and take my love to you. If you would just do that, I will serve you. And being served by the master is, you can't be served any better. [00:29:31] (30 seconds)

Grace and accountability. If you let go of the accountability, you let go of grace. They're connected. This isn't a grace or faith and works argument here. This is a second chance. Will you join my family or will you choose not to? This is what my family looks like. I want you to join. Come. Learn of me. Take my yoke upon you. My burden is easy. [00:30:40] (38 seconds)

It's not for you to know when I'm coming back. Jesus is speaking here of the second coming. This citation is of Jesus speaking. He's speaking of when he comes back. The second coming, that time we're all looking forward to. And it's at that time that I want to be ready. God's given me his grace and this opportunity to be ready. That's what I want is I want to be ready. [00:31:57] (25 seconds)

There's things that are going to distract you in life. Remove the distractions from life. It's me deciding I'm going to take this accountability seriously. I'm not just going to think about it and I'm not going to maybe do it tomorrow. I'm going to do it now because I don't know when he is coming back and I don't want to miss him. [00:32:24] (25 seconds)

Those who were ready, the master didn't just accept, but he celebrated. And you know, let me just say this. That tells me that being ready isn't easy. Being ready is not an easy choice. There's a lot to lay down if you want to be ready. There's things to take care of if you want to be ready. There's people to whom you have to be accountable in order to be ready. There's a lot to do to be ready. There's greed to set aside. There's plans of life that need to get set aside. There's parts of your own character that need to change in order to be ready. [00:34:56] (51 seconds)

You can be ready. He's not going to make you do it on your own. He's going to give you everything you need to know to be ready. He's going to give you everything you need in order to serve and in order to love and in order to forgive and in order to prepare a place for him because he's coming back. And when he comes back, when he comes back, he wants to find you. He wants to find you ready. Ready to go. Ready to go. [00:36:42] (41 seconds)

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