Giving an Account

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. 2 Corinthians 5:10 ESV

In my early years, I often had part-time jobs to help ends meet.  Twice I worked as a cash room clerk.  Every night at the end of the shift, a line of giggling and whispering cashiers would begin to form at the cash room door.  They climbed up the metal stairs, their footfalls echoing on the landing as they came down the hallway, each carrying bulky black tills and banker’s bags.   I stood in the half door, my pencil at the ready, with the clatter of calculators and cash counting machines behind me.  I took their cash drawers, wrote in the number of sales, credit cards, checks, and returns.  I slid the log around for them to sign.  One after another, the cashiers gave an accounting of their day’s work.  By the end of the night, a tally of how the store had done emerged. 

            I think that many of us forget that we too must give an accounting of what we have done with our lives.  How did we spend our money?  How did we spend our free time?  What did we do with the gifts, opportunities, and talents God gave us? 

            Many of us have heard of the White Throne Judgement (Revelations 20:11-15) when God judges the non-believers, but how many of us stop to think about the believer’s judgment, the Bema seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:9-11).  When you give an accounting of what you did with your life after salvation.  Many of us focus on salvation and the forgiveness of our sins.  Salvation indeed covers our sins if we sincerely repent but how we choose to live after salvation determines how we spend our eternity.  When you stand before the Bema seat, will Jesus say, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” (Matthew 25:21)?  Will crowns be given to you for your faithfulness?  Or will you stand before Jesus, and will your account of what you did be lacking? 

            It is not too late.  Every day the Lord tarries is an opportunity for you to make the most of the life he has given you.  Maybe today is a good day to evaluate how you live out your salvation.

            Can you give a good accounting of your day’s work for Jesus?

Typist for Jesus