What concerned Joshua even more than the lives of the people? (See Joshua 7:9

Character Quality Overview

What Is Responsibility?

Read aloud, study, and discuss what responsibility means and how it applies to life.

The operational definition of responsibility is “knowing and doing what both God and others are expecting from me.” You can know what God expects from you by reading His Word. As you obey His Word, you will also fulfill your duties toward others, such as loving them, forgiving them, and meeting their practical needs. When an assignment is given to you by your parents, they trust that you will complete it. Once you thoroughly finish the task, you have shown responsibility. You knew One who is responsible finds what you needed to do joy in pleasing both God and his and you did it. Sometimes authorities as he accomplishes what is expected of him. the responsible choice involves sacrifice, such as waiting to play until you have finished your schoolwork or setting aside a planned activity so you can help someone else. However, responsibility reaps the invaluable rewards of a good name, greater privileges, and a clear conscience. (See Proverbs 22:1.)

The opposite of responsibility is unreliability. A person who is unreliable does not consider his assignments important, so he does not think through what is required to fulfill them. His tasks are often late, incomplete, or forgotten. He may think, “This job can wait until tomorrow; I’ll play now!” At other times, he may not pay attention or understand what is expected. Rather than ask for help or clearer instructions, he may use his lack of understanding as an excuse to delay doing the job. An unreliable person may quickly offer to help someone but then fail to follow through. Because others cannot rely on him to finish his tasks, they must often remind him of his duties. Greater freedoms or opportunities are not granted to him because he has not been faithful with smaller tasks. The irresponsible person will regret the way he foolishly handled his earthly assignments when he stands before God to answer for them.

Knowing and doing what God expects of you prepares you for the day of accountability. Romans 14:12 says, “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” Do you search God’s Word and yield to what He would have you to think, say, and do? As you approach each situation or task, do you apply yourself with a good attitude? Do you complete your responsibilities wholeheartedly, knowing that you serve the Lord and that He is your Rewarder? If so, An unreliable person, like an unstable bridge, does not give others confidence when your works that he will do what he is expected to do. are tried, you will be able to joyfully receive lasting rewards from your Savior. (See I Corinthians 3:13–15.) No praise will bring greater joy than hearing Christ say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant . . . enter thou into the joy of thy Lord” (Matthew 25:21).