WF Pride

Discipline and Accountability

Chad Cottingham

In the last few years, there have been a number of embezzlement cases in our little community, as well as around the country. What has happened? Why has there been such a lack of responsibility with those entrusted with being accountable for those funds? The business dictionary defines accountability as: ‘The obligation of an individual or organization to account for its activities, accept responsibility for them, and to disclose the results in a transparent manner. It also includes the responsibility for money or other entrusted property.’

Why do these folks think they can get away with taking other people’s money? Is it pride? Is it greed? Is it debt? Is it a combination of these and other factors? Whatever the reason, it usually starts small and then grows over time – to a point where thousands and thousands of dollars have been taken.

Sin works very much the same way. It starts small, and if unchecked, grows over time. A little white lie here, a glimpse of pornography there, a prideful heart, gossiping, etc… can all lead to habits that are sinful and wrong in the eyes of the Lord. It may go on for so long that we don’t even see it as wrong or hurtful to ourselves or others.

Jesus tells us in the book of Luke that we will all be held accountable for our actions. Jesus said, “The time is coming when everything that is covered up will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all. Whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be shouted from the housetops for all to hear!” Luke 12:2-3 ~NLT

“Dear Lord, help us to come to the throne of grace and confess our sins, to turn them over to you. Help us to overcome the areas in our life that pull us away from You. Thank you for holding us accountable for all we do here on earth. Help it to motivate us to live our lives honoring and pleasing to You. It’s in the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.”