Biblical stewardship is a concept deeply rooted in scripture, embodying the principles of managing resources, talents, and time in a manner that honors God. To understand this profound responsibility, we turn to the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible and the definitions from Webster’s 1828 dictionary.
Definition of Stewardship
According to Webster’s 1828 dictionary, a steward is defined as “a person employed in great families to manage the domestic concerns, supervise other servants, collect rents or income, and keep accounts.” Extending this definition to biblical terms, stewardship encompasses the management of all that God has entrusted to humanity, including the earth, our abilities, and the gospel.
Scriptural Foundations
The Bible presents stewardship as a divine mandate, beginning with the creation narrative. In Genesis 1:28, God commands humanity to
“Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.” (Gen 1:28)
This dominion is not about exploitation but responsible management.
The parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30 illustrates the expectations of stewardship. In verses 14-15, Jesus tells of a man traveling to a far country who entrusts his goods to his servants:
“For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.”
This parable emphasizes that God entrusts us with resources according to our abilities and expects us to use them wisely for His glory.
Principles of Stewardship
- Ownership: Psalm 24:1 declares, “The earth is the LORD’s, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.” Recognizing God’s ownership of everything is the foundation of stewardship.
- Responsibility: As stewards, we are responsible for managing God’s resources. 1 Corinthians 4:2 states, “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” Faithfulness in stewardship is a recurring biblical theme.
- Accountability: Romans 14:12 reminds us, “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” This accountability underscores the seriousness of our stewardship responsibilities.
- Reward: Faithful stewardship is rewarded by God. In Matthew 25:21, the master says to his servant, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”
Application of Stewardship
Biblical stewardship extends to various aspects of life:
- Time: Ephesians 5:15-16 advises, “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”
- Talents: 1 Peter 4:10 encourages, “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”
- Treasure: Proverbs 3:9 instructs, “Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase.”
- Creation: Genesis 2:15 shows the responsibility given to humanity, “And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.”
Conclusion
Biblical stewardship is a holistic approach to life, recognizing God’s sovereignty over all things and our role as caretakers of His creation. By embracing the principles of ownership, responsibility, accountability, and reward, we can fulfill our divine mandate and glorify God through faithful stewardship. As Paul exhorts the church:
“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Cor 10:31)
In understanding and practicing biblical stewardship, we align our lives with God’s purposes, managing His gifts wisely and faithfully until His return.