Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and ConceptStewardship in the biblical context refers to the responsible management and care of resources, talents, and possessions that God has entrusted to individuals. It encompasses the idea that everything belongs to God, and humans are merely caretakers of His creation. This concept is rooted in the understanding that God is the ultimate owner of all things, as expressed in
Psalm 24:1 : "The earth is the LORD’s, and the fullness thereof, the world and all who dwell therein."
Biblical FoundationsThe principle of stewardship is woven throughout Scripture, beginning with the creation narrative. In
Genesis 1:28 , God commands Adam and Eve to "fill the earth and subdue it; rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and every creature that crawls upon the earth." This mandate establishes humanity's role as stewards of God's creation, tasked with its care and management.
The parable of the talents in
Matthew 25:14-30 further illustrates the concept of stewardship. In this parable, a master entrusts his servants with varying amounts of money before leaving on a journey. Upon his return, he evaluates their management of these resources. The servants who wisely invested and multiplied their master's wealth are commended, while the one who buried his talent out of fear is rebuked. This parable underscores the expectation that stewards are to actively and wisely manage what has been entrusted to them.
Stewardship of ResourcesFinancial stewardship is a significant aspect of biblical teaching.
Proverbs 3:9 instructs, "Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your harvest." This verse highlights the importance of prioritizing God in the management of one's financial resources. The practice of tithing, as seen in
Malachi 3:10 , where God invites His people to "bring the full tithe into the storehouse," is a tangible expression of acknowledging God's ownership and provision.
Stewardship of Time and TalentsIn addition to material resources, stewardship extends to the use of time and talents.
Ephesians 5:15-16 advises believers to "be very careful how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil." This passage encourages the wise and purposeful use of time, recognizing it as a gift from God.
Similarly,
1 Peter 4:10 emphasizes the stewardship of spiritual gifts: "As good stewards of the manifold grace of God, each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve one another." This directive calls believers to employ their God-given abilities in service to others, reflecting God's grace and furthering His kingdom.
Stewardship of CreationThe biblical mandate for stewardship also includes the care of the environment.
Genesis 2:15 states, "Then the LORD God took the man and placed him in the Garden of Eden to cultivate and keep it." This verse highlights humanity's responsibility to tend to and preserve the natural world, reflecting God's creative order and sustaining His creation.
Accountability and RewardScripture teaches that stewards are accountable to God for their management of His resources.
Romans 14:12 reminds believers, "So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God." This accountability underscores the seriousness of the stewardship role and the expectation of faithfulness.
Moreover, faithful stewardship is associated with divine reward. In
Luke 16:10 , Jesus states, "Whoever is faithful with very little will also be faithful with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much." This principle suggests that those who are trustworthy in small matters will be entrusted with greater responsibilities and blessings.
ConclusionThe biblical concept of stewardship calls believers to recognize God's ownership of all things and to manage His resources with wisdom, faithfulness, and a heart of service. Through stewardship, Christians are invited to participate in God's work, reflecting His character and advancing His purposes in the world.
Topical Bible Verses
Luke 16:11If therefore you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?
Topicalbible.org1 Peter 4:10
As every man has received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
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Titus 1:7
For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not self-willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;
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Psalm 24:1
The earth is the LORD's, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.
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2 Timothy 2:15
Study to show yourself approved to God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
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Luke 14:28
For which of you, intending to build a tower, sits not down first, and counts the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?
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1 Corinthians 6:19-20
What? know you not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which you have of God, and you are not your own?
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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
n.) The office of a steward.
Greek
3622. oikonomia --stewardship, administration...stewardship, administration. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: oikonomia
Phonetic Spelling: (oy-kon-om-ee'-ah) Short Definition:
stewardship...5362. philandros -- loving men, (of a wife) loving her husband
... companion of a wife") -- properly, the special affection of a woman for her
life-time mate (husband), embracing him as her "calling" (stewardship) from God...
Library
Home as aStewardship.
... CHAPTER VI. HOME AS ASTEWARDSHIP.... "For look, how many souls in thy house be, With
just as many souls God trusteth thee!". The Christian home is astewardship....
ChristianStewardship.
... CHAPTER II. CHRISTIANSTEWARDSHIP.... It was found to lie deeper; and to consist in
wrong views and wrong practice on the great subject of Christianstewardship....
If Anyone, Except the Bishop or the Person Appointed for the...
... Canon VIII. If anyone, except the bishop or the person appointed for the
stewardship of benefactions? If anyone, except the bishop...
Questions and Answers--Sorrowful Cases--Testimonies from those who...
... CHAPTER IX. Questions and Answers"Sorrowful Cases"Testimonies from
those who have visited Canada"Stewardship....STEWARDSHIP....
Rendering Our Account.
... RENDERING OUR ACCOUNT. (Ninth Sunday after Trinity.) S. Luke 16:2. "Give an account
of thystewardship.". My brothers, we shall all hear that command one day....
Second Great Group of Parables.
... [an indignant expression of surprise arising from abused confidence] render the
account of thystewardship; for thou canst be no longer steward....
The Unrighteous Mammon
... give an account of thystewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward.... for my
lord taketh away from me thestewardship: I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed....
The Unjust Steward.
... render the account of thystewardship; for thou canst be no longer steward' And
the steward said within himself, 'What shall I do, seeing that my lord taketh...
Responsibilities of the Christian Home.
... From the potent influence and moralstewardship of the Christian home, we may infer
its responsibility. The former is the argument for the latter....
And There came unto Him Publicans and Sinners to Hear his Word. .....
... thee? Give me the account of thystewardship; for it is now impossible
that thou shouldest [36] be a steward for me. [1850] The...
Thesaurus
Stewardship (7 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Stewardship (7 Occurrences).
... give an account of thy
stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward. (KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV).
...Dispensation (8 Occurrences)
... dis-pen-sa'-shun: The Greek word (oikonomia) so translated signifies primarily,
astewardship, the management or disposition of affairs entrusted to one....
Concealed (36 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Ephesians 3:9 and to show all men in a clear light what mystewardship
is. It is thestewardship of the truth which from all...
Creator (19 Occurrences)
... Amen. (WEB KJV WEY ASV WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Ephesians 3:9 and to show
all men in a clear light what mystewardship is. It is the...
Divine (39 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Colossians 1:25 of which I was made a servant, according to thestewardship
of God which was given me toward you, to fulfill the word of God, (See RSV)....
Steward (23 Occurrences)
... give an account of thystewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward.... for my
lord taketh away from me thestewardship: I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed....
Stewards (8 Occurrences)
Unwillingly (1 Occurrence)
... Unwillingly (1 Occurrence). 1 Corinthians 9:17 for if willing I do this, I have
a reward; and if unwillingly -- with astewardship I have been entrusted! (YLT)....
Occupy (25 Occurrences)
... 1 Timothy 1:4 neither to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which cause
disputes, rather than God'sstewardship, which is in faith- (See RSV)....
Labour (119 Occurrences)
... (WEY YLT). Luke 16:3 "Then the steward said within himself, "'What am I to
do? For my master is taking away thestewardship from me....
Resources
What is biblical stewardship? | GotQuestions.orgThe Christian and Money ' Article Index | GotQuestions.orgShould a Christian take a vacation? | GotQuestions.orgStewardship: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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Bible Encyclopedia •
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