“Give an account of thy stewardship,” the rich man said to his servant in the Parable of the Unjust Steward (Luke 16:2). It’s a reasonable request. The possessions don’t belong to the steward; he is only managing and safeguarding them on behalf of the owner.
Inherent in a stewardship is the responsibility to give an accounting.
In a revelation received December 4, 1831, the Lord teaches this principle to church members:
For it is required of the Lord, at the hand of every steward, to render an account of his stewardship, both in time and in eternity.
For he who is faithful and wise in time is accounted worthy to inherit the mansions prepared for him of my Father.
Verily I say unto you, the elders of the church in this part of my vineyard shall render an account of their stewardship unto the bishop, who shall be appointed of me in this part of my vineyard.
Doctrine and Covenants 72:3-5
This passage explicitly connects temporal accountings with eternal ones. If you can honestly tell another person that you have behaved honorably, then you are prepared to give the same report in the next life to God. No wonder King Benjamin chose to review his reign with his people near the end of his life:
As I said unto you that I had served you, walking with a clear conscience before God, even so I at this time have caused that ye should assemble yourselves together, that I might be found blameless, and that your blood should not come upon me, when I shall stand to be judged of God of the things whereof he hath commanded me concerning you.
Mosiah 2:27
Alma told the people of Zarahemla to imagine what it will be like to stand “before the tribunal of God” after this life (Alma 5:18). He provided a number of self-reflective questions for them to ask themselves in preparation for that accounting. For example:
Behold, are ye stripped of pride? I say unto you, if ye are not ye are not prepared to meet God. Behold ye must prepare quickly; for the kingdom of heaven is soon at hand, and such an one hath not eternal life.
Alma 5:28
We all have opportunities to report on our responsibilities. In weekly 1-on-1s I report to my manager; in family council I review my role as husband and father; in temple-recommend and ministering interviews I account for my church service. Each of these experiences serves as an intermediate accounting, helping us prepare for the final accounting which we will all one day give before God.
Today, I will be grateful for opportunities to render an account of my stewardships. I will approach such opportunities thoughtfully, remembering that they foreshadow the ultimate accounting I will give to God.
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