While the Bible doesn't really come out and use the word "accountability", the idea of it is found throughout. From the very first murder in human history, recorded in Genesis 4, we have that idea there. Cain murders his brother, Abel, and when God confronts Cain about it, he asks the significant question, "Am I my brother's keeper?" While God doesn't directly answer that question, it seems pretty clear that the answer is, yes.
So we are called to be accountable in our care for one another. However, being the sinful human beings that we are, we can also easily overstep that line. You have likely heard the term "micromanaging" before. It's the idea of someone who has some level of accountability, but doesn't really trust the person who is doing the work "under" them. Therefore, they basically step in and dictate each part of the process, and in some ways, demonstrate a lack of trust in those who are tasked with the job.
At this point, it seems like I should also mention that we Americans tend to shy away from this word "accountability." We throw around words like freedom, but have allowed them to mean something other than what they should be. We say freedom, but we really mean "I don't want anyone telling me how to do anything." In other words, we don't want to be accountable to others. They mind their business, and I mind mine, and we're all happy. That's the basic idea, at least.
The thing is, that is not how God designed us when He created us. Part of being in a community means that we sometimes lay aside what we want, or even what is best for us, for the good of others. That's evident in what Jesus has done for us, and as the new life that Jesus won for us takes root and grows in us, we also work for the good of others, even if we might prefer otherwise, or if it's to our cost.
St. Paul writes it very bluntly in his letter to the Philippians. In Philippians 2:3-4, he calls for those Christians to count others more significant than they are. They are called to look to the interests of others, not necessarily at the expense of their own, but at least on equal footing with their own. And yes, sometimes looking to the good of others does actually cost us, or cause us to lay aside what we would prefer for the good of others.
It's easy to blur these lines. One of my ongoing battles is maintaining accountability without become too invasive. It's a constant battle in our lives as Christians.
So we are called to be accountable in our care for one another. However, being the sinful human beings that we are, we can also easily overstep that line. You have likely heard the term "micromanaging" before. It's the idea of someone who has some level of accountability, but doesn't really trust the person who is doing the work "under" them. Therefore, they basically step in and dictate each part of the process, and in some ways, demonstrate a lack of trust in those who are tasked with the job.
At this point, it seems like I should also mention that we Americans tend to shy away from this word "accountability." We throw around words like freedom, but have allowed them to mean something other than what they should be. We say freedom, but we really mean "I don't want anyone telling me how to do anything." In other words, we don't want to be accountable to others. They mind their business, and I mind mine, and we're all happy. That's the basic idea, at least.
The thing is, that is not how God designed us when He created us. Part of being in a community means that we sometimes lay aside what we want, or even what is best for us, for the good of others. That's evident in what Jesus has done for us, and as the new life that Jesus won for us takes root and grows in us, we also work for the good of others, even if we might prefer otherwise, or if it's to our cost.
St. Paul writes it very bluntly in his letter to the Philippians. In Philippians 2:3-4, he calls for those Christians to count others more significant than they are. They are called to look to the interests of others, not necessarily at the expense of their own, but at least on equal footing with their own. And yes, sometimes looking to the good of others does actually cost us, or cause us to lay aside what we would prefer for the good of others.
It's easy to blur these lines. One of my ongoing battles is maintaining accountability without become too invasive. It's a constant battle in our lives as Christians.
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