Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Scope:Management, in a biblical context, refers to the stewardship, administration, and oversight of resources, people, and responsibilities entrusted to individuals by God. It encompasses the principles of leadership, accountability, and service, aligning with God's purposes and commands.
Biblical Foundations:The concept of management is deeply rooted in the Bible, beginning with the creation narrative. In
Genesis 1:28 , God commands humanity 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 the foundational principle of stewardship, where humans are entrusted with the care and management of God's creation.
Stewardship and Accountability:The parable of the talents in
Matthew 25:14-30 illustrates the importance of faithful management. The master entrusts his servants with varying amounts of money, expecting them to manage and multiply it. The servants who wisely invest and increase their master's wealth are commended, while the one who fails to do so is rebuked. This parable underscores the expectation of accountability and the rewards of diligent stewardship.
Leadership and Servanthood:Biblical management is characterized by servant leadership, as exemplified by Jesus Christ. In
Mark 10:42-45 , Jesus teaches, "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." Effective management involves leading by example, prioritizing the well-being of others, and serving with humility.
Wisdom and Planning:Proverbs offers numerous insights into wise management.
Proverbs 21:5 states, "The plans of the diligent bring plenty, as surely as haste leads to poverty." This highlights the value of careful planning and diligence in managing resources.
Proverbs 16:3 advises, "Commit your works to the LORD, and your plans will be achieved," emphasizing the importance of aligning management practices with divine guidance.
Integrity and Justice:Righteous management is marked by integrity and justice.
Micah 6:8 calls believers to "act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God." Managers are called to uphold ethical standards, ensuring fairness and honesty in all dealings.
Colossians 3:23-24 further instructs, "Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, for the Lord and not for men, because you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward."
Community and Collaboration:The early church exemplifies communal management and collaboration.
Acts 4:32-35 describes how believers shared their possessions, ensuring that "there was no needy one among them." This model of collective stewardship highlights the importance of working together for the common good, fostering unity and mutual support.
Conclusion:While the Bible does not provide a systematic treatise on management, its principles offer a comprehensive framework for managing resources, people, and responsibilities in a manner that honors God and serves others. Through stewardship, servant leadership, wisdom, integrity, and community, believers are called to manage all that is entrusted to them with faithfulness and excellence.
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.orgProverbs 22:7
The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.
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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?
Topicalbible.org
Proverbs 13:22
A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.
Topicalbible.org
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) The act or art of managing; the manner of treating, directing, carrying on, or using, for a purpose; conduct; administration; guidance; control; as, the management of a family or of a farm; the management of state affairs.
2. (v.) Business dealing; negotiation; arrangement.
3. (v.) Judicious use of means to accomplish an end; conduct directed by art or address; skillful treatment; cunning practice; -- often in a bad sense.
4. (n.) The collective body of those who manage or direct any enterprise or interest; the board of managers.
Greek
3622. oikonomia -- stewardship, administration... of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: oikonomia Phonetic Spelling:
(oy-kon-om-ee'-ah) Short Definition: stewardship Definition:
management of household
...Strong's Hebrew
8458. tachbulah -- direction, counsel... Or tachbuwlah {takh-boo-law'}; from chabal as denominative from chebel; (only in
plural) properly, steerage (as a
management of ropes), ie (figuratively
...Library
On theManagement of the Resources Collected for the Support of...
... Of Bishops, Presbyters, and Deacons. Sec. IV."On theManagement of the Resources
Collected for the Support of the Clergy, and the Relief of the Poor....
The Blessing of God.
... was a son of the father all the time; but when he preferred his will to the will
of his father, his way to the way of his father, hismanagement of his share...
It Frequently Happens that a Creature who is not Entirely Hardened...
... Themanagement of this presentation, also, is in the hand of the providence of God,
who presents these incitements, that he may accomplish his own work by the...
The Church and Her Mission, or the Three Constitutional Synods...
... should be considered duly elected unless his election had been confirmed by the
Lot; and that during an inter-synodal period the suprememanagement of Church...
Appendix
... 4. And We do hereby further ordain, grant and declare, that for the better government
of the said College, and the bettermanagement of its concerns, the said...
Treatise on the Priesthood. Book ii.
... possible then to make use of deceit for a good purpose, or rather that in such a
case it ought not to be called deceit, but a kind of goodmanagement worthy of...
That Vespasian, after He had Taken Gadara Made Preparation for the...
... But as to any narration after what manner he abused his power in the government,
and committed themanagement of affairs to those vile wretches, Nymphidius and...
Of the Humility of Abbot Pinufius, who Left a Very Famous...
... they said that he was seeking this not for the sake of religion but because he was
compelled by hunger and want, they gave him the care andmanagement of the...
Whether Husband and Wife are Equal in the Marriage Act?
... equal in marriage; neither as regards the marriage act, wherein the more noble part
is due to the husband, nor as regards the householdmanagement, wherein the...
Organizes a Church at Deland. Health Improves. Relapses. Starts...
... I was not pleased with its businessmanagement, and did not want to leave it as
the property of my family, not knowing what trouble it might give nor what...
Thesaurus
Management (7 Occurrences)... art of managing; the manner of treating, directing, carrying on, or using, for a
purpose; conduct; administration; guidance; control; as, the
management of a
...Policy (3 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) The method by which any institution is administered; system of
management; course. 4. (n.)Management or administration...
Manager (10 Occurrences)
... hear about you? Give an accounting of yourmanagement, for you can no longer
be manager.' (WEB BBE NAS NIV). Luke 16:3 "The manager...
Administration (12 Occurrences)
... government of public affairs; the service rendered, or duties assumed, in conducting
affairs; the conducting of any office or employment; direction;management...
Charge (379 Occurrences)
... or thing. 18. (n.) A person or thing committed or entrusted to the care,
custody, ormanagement of another; a trust. 19. (vt) Custody...
Trustworthy (30 Occurrences)
... Matthew 25:21 "'You have done well, good and trustworthy servant,' replied his master;
'you have been trustworthy in themanagement of a little, I will put you...
Dispensation (8 Occurrences)
... (Gr. oikonomia, "management, " "economy"). (1.) The method or scheme according to
which God carries out his purposes towards men is called a dispensation....
Master's (52 Occurrences)
... Matthew 25:21 "'You have done well, good and trustworthy servant,' replied his master;
'you have been trustworthy in themanagement of a little, I will put you...
Conduct (93 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The act or method of conducting; guidance;
management. 2. (n.) Skillful guidance ormanagement; generalship....
Counsel (192 Occurrences)
... 6. (n.) One who gives advice, especially in legal matters; one professionally engaged
in the trial ormanagement of a cause in court; also, collectively, the...
Resources
What does the Bible say about time management? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is biblical stewardship? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about punctuality? | GotQuestions.orgManagement: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
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Topical Bible •
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