photo #9312231

FREEDOM DOES NOT REMOVE RESPONSIBILITY “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.”—Romans 14:12 (KJV)Our attitude toward work is not merely a personal preference—it is a spiritual matter for which we are accountable to God. Scripture says, “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men” (Colossians 3:23).God expects us to accept responsibility in every area of life: To God: We must faithfully use the strength, time, abilities, and opportunities He has given us. Work should be performed honestly and heartily because we ultimately serve the Lord. To our family: “But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith” (1 Timothy 5:8). Providing includes more than money. It involves protection, instruction, faithfulness, care, and spiritual leadership. To others: God commands the working man to “labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth” (Ephesians 4:28). We work not only to provide for ourselves, but also to help those who are genuinely in need. To our church: Every believer should faithfully attend, give, serve, encourage others, and support the work of God. Church is not merely a place from which we receive; it is a body in which every member has a responsibility. The Bible commands compassion toward the poor, sick, elderly, disabled, and suffering. But compassion toward genuine need is not the same as encouraging able people to avoid responsibility. Freedom gives us opportunity—not freedom from duty. One day, we will answer to God for our attitude toward work, our care for our family, our treatment of others, and our faithfulness to His church. Liberty is a blessing. Responsibility is what God requires us to do with it.