Stewardship brings Accountability

 Read Ezekiel 16.

God's word came to the prophet Ezekiel comparing the city of Jerusalem to an adulterous wife.  The LORD saw this piece of real estate in its infancy when no one else wanted it.  The analogy is that of a baby who had been tossed aside at birth to die on its own. 

The heritage (father and mother v.3) of that area was a mix of pagan cultures, including the sisters of Samaria and Sodom (v.46).  But God took pity on it.  He cleaned and nourished the city in its infancy.  This loving care and protection caused Jerusalem to flourish.  When it matured (v.8), God entered into a special relationship with the city.  Jerusalem became the capital with Israel's kings reigning from that place (v.13).  Blessed with unbelievable abundance, King Solomon built the beautiful Temple there and the LORD adorned it with His visible presence.  God compared the relationship to that of a covenant between a husband and wife.

However, in time the people forgot the source of their blessings and what made Jerusalem the envy of all the other nations (v.22).  They trusted in their glorious beauty and wealth (v.15).  Turning from God, they entered into spiritual relationships with anyone and anything else (v.25).  They embraced the paganism of the nations around them.  The LORD repeatedly made it clear that no one encouraged them to do this.  A prostitute would physically behave in such a way and be paid for services.  Jerusalem did the opposite.  She paid and sacrificed in order to worship false gods (v.34). 

Where did Jerusalem acquire the life (v.6), the money, the materials, the "flour, oil and honey" (v.19), and even the children that were sacrificed?  It all came from the LORD.  He owned it all (Psalm 24:1).  It was His provision that He had given to them as a stewardship.  But instead of honoring Him with those things, they used His possessions for evil.

God's judgment, then, would be like that of a jealous husband.  According to the law, she, along with her so-called lovers, would be publicly humiliated and put to death (Leviticus 20:10). 

Stewardship is faithfully managing God's resources for God approved purposes.  Each one of us will one day give an account of how we used all the blessings God loaned us during these years of life.  May we pray moment by moment for wisdom to please the LORD in the use of all our time, energies, and resources.