Accountability Mixed with Grace

A few days before Christmas one year, I delivered children's gifts to a family who had requested help. These families, I was told, were unable to provide gifts for their children. I did not know the children but purchased age and gender appropriate gifts and wrapped in bright paper.

I placed the gifts under the tree with the many other gifts already there. Although I did not know this families circumstances; I did walk away with the feeling that a lack of Christmas presents was not their problem.

I was recently told of a woman who converted a spare bedroom into a large pantry that included a freezer filled with turkeys. The room served as a clandestine convenience store for her neighbors. She patiently waited in food pantry lines to restock her shelves. “You can't steal what's free,” she probably reasoned.

Stories like these can be discouraging. We want to help those in need but we don't want to facilitate abuse. We want to empower rather than enable.

Familiarity is one factor that limits abuse. The Bible tells us that the early church would support members in need. Familiarity made this easier. There were no strangers in the early church. If a person lied, they were easily caught.

When churches help their own (as we see in the book of Acts), the results both honor God and lead to spiritual fulfillment. Sadly, churches can wind up enabling people in their deceit in a rush to bring help.

The Bible teaches us three important principles:

1. People ought to work for their food.
2. There will always be poor.
3. We identify with Jesus when we serve the poor

We must use discernment to determine when and how to act. Discernment allows us to mix grace with accountability; a formula that leads to spiritual success for both the helper and the person receiving aid.

Called to Account

Mark 12:1-12

We are called to account for the opportunities presented to us by God.

After Jesus chases the money changers out of the Temple (Mark 11:15-17), the religious establishment questioned his authority. Jesus answers the question with another question that links him to John the Baptist. (Mark 11:27-33)

He then tells a story about a man who planted a vineyard and equipped with everything necessary for it to thrive. He rented the vineyard out but, when the owner sent servants to collect his share of the harvest, he was denied. The servants were beaten and the owners own son was killed. The owner finally returned to seek justice and turned the vineyard to other tenants. (Mark 12:1-9)

The vineyard refers to of Israel, the people of God. They had been set apart and cultivated to bring salvation to the world. The owner is God, who built the vineyard, providing blessing and privilege for His people. The tenants are the religious leaders, who were the responsible for oversight, and were accountable to God. Israel’s leaders were expected to cause growth and maturity in the people.

The servants represent the prophets; messengers God sent to his people warn Israel: "Turn from all your evil ways. Obey my commands and laws, which are contained in the whole law that I commanded your ancestors and which I gave you through my servants the prophets." (2 Kings 17:13)

The owner's response reminds us that God will not be robbed of His glory. God’s plans will not be thwarted by the wickedness of men and sin will not go unpunished. The privilege of the harvest was given to others. The Gentiles would now be recipients of God’s message of salvation.

Once, you [Gentiles] were rebels against God, but when the Jews refused his mercy, God was merciful to you instead. (Romans 11:30)

Jesus connects the rejected son with the rejected stone that became the cornerstone. (Mark 12:10-12) The leaders who rejected Jesus didn’t realize how God would exalt him. Jesus is the cornerstone whose life and teaching are the foundation of the church.

The spiritual power of pairs and small groups

Mark 6:7-13

Jesus divided the 12 disciples into pairs and sent them out on mission, giving them authority over impure spirits.

This sending of the disciples two-by-two has a practical side. Solomon advises, “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, NIV)

There is a spiritual side as well. Jesus said, “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” (Matthew 18:19-20, NIV)

The Book of Acts repeatedly illustrates these pairings:

• Peter & John (Acts 3:1-5)
• Barnabas & Paul (Acts 13:42-43)
• Paul & Silas (Acts 16:16-30)

Following Jesus' model of working in pairs increases accountability and provides encouragement. Working in pairs, the disciples experienced ministry success; they drove out many demons and healed the sick. (Mark 6:13)