Topical Encyclopedia
A manager, in the biblical context, is often understood as a steward or overseer responsible for the administration and care of resources, people, or tasks. The concept of management is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, where individuals are entrusted with responsibilities by God or human authorities to oversee and ensure the proper functioning of various aspects of life and community.
Biblical Examples of Management:1.
Joseph in Egypt: One of the most prominent examples of a manager in the Bible is Joseph, who was sold into slavery by his brothers and eventually rose to become the second most powerful man in Egypt under Pharaoh. Joseph's management skills are highlighted in
Genesis 41:39-41 : "Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, 'Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. You shall be in charge of my house, and all my people are to obey your commands. Only with regard to the throne will I be greater than you.'"
2.
The Parable of the Talents: In the New Testament, Jesus uses the Parable of the Talents to illustrate the principles of stewardship and management. In
Matthew 25:14-30, Jesus describes a master who entrusts his servants with different amounts of money (talents) and expects them to manage and multiply these resources. The servants who wisely manage their master's resources are rewarded, while the one who fails to do so is reprimanded.
3.
Nehemiah: Nehemiah serves as an example of a godly manager who led the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls. His leadership and organizational skills are evident as he coordinates the efforts of the people, deals with opposition, and ensures the successful completion of the project.
Nehemiah 2:17-18 states, "Then I said to them, 'You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, so that we will no longer be a disgrace.' And I told them how the hand of my God had been upon me for good, and what the king had said to me. 'Let us start rebuilding,' they replied, and they set their hands to this good work."
Principles of Biblical Management:1.
Faithfulness and Accountability: A key principle of biblical management is faithfulness. Managers are expected to be trustworthy and accountable for the resources and responsibilities entrusted to them. In
1 Corinthians 4:2 , Paul writes, "Now it is required of stewards that they be found faithful."
2.
Wisdom and Discernment: Effective management requires wisdom and discernment, qualities that are often associated with the fear of the Lord.
Proverbs 3:13-14 states, "Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who acquires understanding, for she is more profitable than silver, and her gain is better than fine gold."
3.
Servant Leadership: Biblical management emphasizes servant leadership, where the manager serves others and prioritizes their well-being. Jesus exemplifies this in
Mark 10:43-45 : "But it shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be the slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many."
4.
Diligence and Hard Work: The Bible encourages diligence and hard work as essential components of effective management.
Proverbs 12:24 says, "The hand of the diligent will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor."
Conclusion:The role of a manager in the Bible is multifaceted, encompassing stewardship, leadership, and service. Biblical management principles emphasize faithfulness, wisdom, servant leadership, and diligence, providing a framework for managing resources and responsibilities in a manner that honors God and benefits others.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) One who manages; a conductor or director; as, the manager of a theater.
2. (n.) A person who conducts business or household affairs with economy and frugality; a good economist.
3. (n.) A contriver; an intriguer.
Greek
3623. oikonomos -- themanager of a household... the
manager of a household. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: oikonomos
Phonetic Spelling: (oy-kon-om'-os) Short Definition: a steward Definition
...5336. phatne -- a manger
... word Definition a manger NASB Word Usage manger (3), stall (1).manager, stall.
From pateomai (to eat); a crib (for fodder) --manager, stall....
4031. perikrates -- having full command of
... having power. From peri and kratos; strong all around, ie A master (manager) -- +
come by. see GREEK peri. see GREEK kratos. (perikrateis) -- 1 Occurrence....
3621. oikonomeo -- to be a steward, to manage
... a household. Word Origin from oikonomos Definition to be a steward, to manage
NASB Word Usagemanager (1). be steward. From oikonomos...
2012. epitropos -- an administrator (one having authority)
... steward, guardian. From epi and tropos (in the sense of epitrope); a commissioner,
ie Domesticmanager, guardian -- steward, tutor. see GREEK epi....
Library
The Boy who was to beManager
... THE BOY WHO WAS TO BEMANAGER.... He went to the office, and as he was a bright,
neat-looking boy, he made a good impression upon themanager....
Chapter six
... It was a letter from themanager of a comic opera offering her a place
with a large traveling company of the season. The salary...
Claiming.
... if a man has a credit balance of [USD]250 in his current banking account, and draws
a check for [USD]50, he does not require to go to themanager and "ask" for...
Meanwhile, Angela Sovrani was Detained in Her Studio by the...
... Yes, he was perfectly delightful,"this big Miraudin, till he became his ownmanager
and his own leading actor as well! Helas! What it is to be amanager!...
The British Collapse, 1760-1801.
... For twenty-one years this brilliant preacher was the chiefmanager of the Brethren's
work in England; and yet, though he was not a German himself, his...
System of the Perat?? Explained Out of one of their Own Books.
... corruptible generation.Manager of the rising of the star [481] is
Carphacasemeocheir, (and) Eccabbacara (is the same). Ignorance...
Aubrey Leigh was a Man who had Chosen his Own Way of Life...
... were all exceptional, and told highly in his favour,"but unfortunately his scholarly
acumen and knowledge of literature went against him with hismanager....
Yorkshire and the Settlement System.
... For some months, with Spangenberg as generalmanager, they made their head-quarters
at Smith House, a farm building near Halifax {July, 1742.}; and there, on...
Acts xxii. 17-20
... Again, greatness of soul is a virtue, and hard by it stands prodigality: economy
is a virtue, the being a goodmanager; hard by it stands parsimony and meanness...
"Lo, I am with You Alway. "
... Him. You may be themanager of a bank, and your whole attention may be required
to carry out the business that you have to do. But...
Thesaurus
Manager (10 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) One who manages; a conductor or director; as,
the
manager of a theater.
... Multi-Version Concordance
Manager (10 Occurrences).
...Management (7 Occurrences)
... hear about you? Give an accounting of your management, for you can no longer
bemanager.' (WEB NAS NIV). Luke 16:3 "Themanager said...
Property (212 Occurrences)
... said about you? give me an account of all you have done, for you will no
longer be themanager of my property. (BBE). Luke 16:12...
Vineyard (69 Occurrences)
... Matthew 20:8 When evening had come, the lord of the vineyard said to his
manager,'Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning from the last to...
Vine-garden (43 Occurrences)
... Matthew 20:8 And when evening came, the lord of the vine-garden said to hismanager,
Let the workers come, and give them their payment, from the last to the...
Ones (687 Occurrences)
... Matthew 20:8 When evening had come, the lord of the vineyard said to his
manager,'Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning from the last to...
Owner (56 Occurrences)
... Matthew 20:8 When evening had come, the lord of the vineyard said to his
manager,'Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning from the last to...
Laborers (19 Occurrences)
... Matthew 20:8 When evening had come, the lord of the vineyard said to his
manager,'Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning from the last to...
Longer (373 Occurrences)
... you? Give an accounting of your management, for you can no longer bemanager.'
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Luke...
Group (32 Occurrences)
... Matthew 20:8 When evening had come, the lord of the vineyard said to his
manager,'Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning from the last to...
Resources
What is the meaning of the Parable of the Unjust Steward (Luke 16:1-13)? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is biblical stewardship? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Joanna in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgManager: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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