Topical Encyclopedia
A steward in biblical terms refers to a person who is entrusted with the management of someone else's property, household, or affairs. The concept of stewardship is deeply rooted in Scripture, emphasizing responsibility, accountability, and faithfulness.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, the role of a steward is often associated with managing the household or estate of a wealthy individual. One of the earliest examples is found in
Genesis 15:2, where Abram refers to Eliezer of Damascus as the steward of his house. This indicates a position of trust and authority, as Eliezer was responsible for overseeing Abram's possessions and affairs.
Another notable example is Joseph, who, after being sold into slavery, rose to become the steward of Potiphar's house in Egypt (
Genesis 39:4-6). Joseph's faithful stewardship is highlighted by his ability to manage Potiphar's household so effectively that Potiphar "left everything he owned under Joseph’s care; he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate" (
Genesis 39:6).
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, the concept of stewardship extends beyond the management of physical possessions to include spiritual responsibilities. Jesus frequently used the role of a steward in His parables to illustrate principles of the Kingdom of God. In
Luke 12:42-44, Jesus describes a faithful and wise steward whom the master puts in charge of his servants: "Blessed is that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions" .
The Apostle Paul also speaks of stewardship in a spiritual context. In
1 Corinthians 4:1-2, he writes, "This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Now it is required of stewards that they be found faithful" . Here, Paul emphasizes the responsibility of believers to faithfully manage the spiritual truths and gifts entrusted to them.
Principles of Stewardship1.
Ownership and Trust: A steward recognizes that everything belongs to God and that they are merely caretakers of His resources.
Psalm 24:1 states, "The earth is the LORD’s, and the fullness thereof, the world and all who dwell therein" .
2.
Faithfulness and Accountability: Stewards are called to be faithful and accountable in their management. Jesus underscores this in the Parable of the Talents (
Matthew 25:14-30), where the servants are rewarded or punished based on their stewardship of the master's resources.
3.
Service and Responsibility: Stewardship involves serving others and taking responsibility for the well-being of what has been entrusted to one's care. This is evident in the early church, where believers shared their resources to meet the needs of the community (
Acts 4:32-35).
4.
Eternal Perspective: Stewards are encouraged to manage resources with an eternal perspective, investing in what has lasting value. Jesus advises, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth... But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven" (
Matthew 6:19-20).
ConclusionThe biblical concept of stewardship encompasses both material and spiritual dimensions, calling believers to manage all aspects of life in a manner that honors God. Through faithful stewardship, individuals demonstrate their trust in God's provision and their commitment to His purposes.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) A man employed in a large family, or on a large estate, to manage the domestic concerns, supervise other servants, collect the rents or income, keep accounts, and the like.
2. (n.) A person employed in a hotel, or a club, or on board a ship, to provide for the table, superintend the culinary affairs, etc. In naval vessels, the captain's steward, wardroom steward, steerage steward, warrant officers steward, etc., are petty officers who provide for the messes under their charge.
3. (n.) A fiscal agent of certain bodies; as, a steward in a Methodist church.
4. (n.) In some colleges, an officer who provides food for the students and superintends the kitchen; also, an officer who attends to the accounts of the students.
5. (n.) In Scotland, a magistrate appointed by the crown to exercise jurisdiction over royal lands.
6. (v. t.) To manage as a steward.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
STEWARDstu'-erd ('ish `al bayith (Genesis 43:16, 19;Genesis 44:11 Kings 16:9), ha-meltsar (Daniel 1:11), ha-cokhen (Isaiah 22:15)):
1. Old Testament Usage:
In the King James Version the word "steward" is found inGenesis 15:21 Chronicles 28:1, in addition to the above. The American Standard Revised Version rendersGenesis 15:2 as "possessor," and1 Chronicles 28:1 "rulers."
The phrase ben-mesheq inGenesis 15:2 is best rendered "son of acquisition," hence, "heir." But this is disputed. Skinner in the ICC on Genesis regards the text as hopelessly corrupt, and offers no solution of the difficulty. In the other passages, the phrase 'ish `al bayith is conveniently translated "steward," though literally it is "man over the house." The word ha-meltsar inDaniel 1:11 is translated in the King James Version as a proper noun. This is certainly a mistake. The margin gives "the steward," and this is followed in the Revised Version (British and American). A better rendering perhaps would be "overseer," as this man seemed to have the superintendence of the training and feeding of the young men until they were fitted to enter the king's service. He was thus rather a steward of persons than of property (see MELZAR). InIsaiah 22:15 Shebna is described in the text as "treasurer," but in the margin as "steward," and seems to combine the ideas in both the words "treasurer" and "steward." Shebna was thus one of the highest officials, having charge of the city's funds, and of administering them for the city's benefit.
Though the word for "steward" occurs but once in that sense, the idea is one familiar to the Old Testament. Eliezer of Damascus was Abraham's slave and trusted steward. Heseems to have had the oversight of all his affairs and was entrusted with the important duty of getting a wife for Isaac. He apparently had charge over the family of his master as well as his property. Whether Isaac had such a steward or not is nowhere stated, but it is practically certain that he had. Jacob seems to have been Laban's steward for a time, as he apparently had full charge of the flocks and herds of his master. Joseph was practically Potiphar's steward, and when he became Pharaoh's chief minister, he himself had a steward over his own house (Genesis 39:4, 5;Genesis 44:1, 4). The king Elah in his brief reign of two years had a steward in charge of his household (1 Kings 16:9). The same was doubtless true of all the kings, and it may be safely inferred that every household of distinction or of sufficient wealth had a steward in charge. The functions of this officer seem at times to have included the care of the children or minors, as well as of the property. Sometimes he was a slave, sometimes a freedman.
2. In the New Testament:
epitropos, oikonomos. These two terms denote similar positions. The exact difference cannot be clearly defined, as they are sometimes almost synonymous. The two are found together inGalatians 4:2. Some scholars say they are used synonymously, others that the first word is a more general term including the latter. Lightfoot and Ellicott think that the former refers rather to the guardianship of persons, the child's legal representative, while the latter word refers to the head servant appointed to manage the household or property (compare 2 Maccabees 11:1; 13:2). There would, however, not be any such hard-and-fast line between their respective duties; these might vary with every master, or might be combined in one individual.
(1) In the Gospels.
The idea seems to have been perfectly familiar to the people in Christ's day. Every household of distinction seems to have had a steward in charge, Herod's steward was named Chuzas, and his wife, Joanna, followed and ministered to Jesus (Luke 8:3). The word epitropos used here is held by some scholars to imply that he had charge of the education of Herod's children. This is very probable but not certain. In the parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard, it is the steward who pays the laborers at the close of the day (Matthew 20:8). The parable of the Unjust Steward best illustrates the practice. This steward was a freeman, had full charge of his master's affairs and could use them to his own advantage if he chose, was fully accountable to his master and had to render an account when called upon. If unfaithful he was usually discharged at once (Luke 16:1-13). The parables of the Minae or Pounds (Luke 19:12-27), the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30), and the Wicked Husbandmen (Matthew 21:33-46) teach similar truths. In His warning to His disciples Jesus seems to imply that they were to act as stewards in His absence (Luke 12:42). According to this passage a steward's task was to manage all the affairs of his master, attend to receipts and expenditures, and portion out to each one of the household what should come to him. The disciples were left thus in charge of His gospel and were to use this gift to the best advantage in behalf of others until His return. InJohn 2:8 the term "ruler" is given in the margin as "steward." The one referred to here was really director of the feast rather than steward, though in a sense charged with the responsibility of conducting it. Many stewards were no doubt slaves, as is implied inMatthew 24:45, while others were freedmen (Luke 16:1-21).
(2) In the Epistles.
The application of this term is largely confined to the ministry of the gospel. Paul and his fellow-laborers regarded themselves as stewards of the mysteries of God (1 Corinthians 4:1, 2). The idea is that he take scrupulous care of that which was entrusted to him, and give it out to others faithfully and as directed by his master Jesus Christ. A bishop or overseer is to be as God's steward (Titus 1:7). Peter considered himself and all other Christians as "stewards of the manifold grace of God" (1 Peter 4:10). The prevalence of the custom of having guardians and stewards over children in their minority is shown inGalatians 4:2. The difference in meaning of the two words used here is stated above. In Romans 16:23 Erastus is called the oikonomos of the city. This is best translated "treasurer." Erastus was thus an influential member of the community of Corinth and evidently a faithful Christian.
James Josiah Reeve
Greek
3621. oikonomeo -- to be asteward, to manage... to be a
steward, to manage. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: oikonomeo Phonetic
Spelling: (oy-kon-om-eh'-o) Short Definition: I am a
steward Definition: I
...3623. oikonomos -- the manager of a household
... manager of a household. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: oikonomos
Phonetic Spelling: (oy-kon-om'-os) Short Definition: asteward Definition: a...
2012. epitropos -- an administrator (one having authority)
... having authority). Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: epitropos Phonetic
Spelling: (ep-it'-rop-os) Short Definition: asteward, guardian Definition...
5529. Chouzas -- Chuza, an officer of Herod
... of Herod. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: Chouzas Phonetic Spelling:
(khood-zas') Short Definition: Chuza Definition: Chuza, asteward of Herod...
2489. Ioanna -- Joanan, an Israelite
... Transliteration: Ioanna Phonetic Spelling: (ee-o-an'-nah) Short Definition: Joanna
Definition: (Hebrew), Joanna, Johanna, wife of Chuza, Herod'ssteward....
2037. Erastos -- "beloved," Erastus, the name of two Christians
... Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: Erastos Phonetic Spelling:
(er'-as-tos) Short Definition: Erastus Definition: Erastus,steward of Corinth,...
Strong's Hebrew
4943. mesheq -- acquisition, possession... Usage heir* (1).
steward. From an unused root meaning to hold; possession -- +
steward. 4942, 4943. mesheq. 4944 . Strong's Numbers.
376. ish -- man
... 5), persons (2), prime (1), rank (1), respective (1), sailors* (1), slanderer*
(1), soldiers (1), soldiers* (3), some (8), son* (1),steward* (1), swordsmen* (...
8269. sar -- chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince
... head person (of any rank or class) -- captain (that had rule), chief (captain),
general, governor, keeper, lord, ((-task-))master, prince(-ipal), ruler,steward...
834. asher -- who, which, that
... inasmuch (1), inasmuch* (2), just (1), just* (6), much (1), powder* (1), reason
(1), set (1), since (3), since* (5), so (9), so* (1),steward* (4), storehouses...
5532a. sakan -- to be of use or service, benefit
... to be of use or service, benefit NASB Word Usage advantage (1), ever been accustomed
(1), intimately acquainted (1), nurse (2), profits (1),steward (1), use (1...
1121. ben -- son
... X in, + kid, + lamb, (+) man, meet, + mighty, + nephew, old, (+) people, + rebel, +
robber, X servant born, X soldier, son, + spark, +steward, + stranger, X...
1004. bayith -- a house
... family, + forth of, X great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter)house(-
hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, + prison, +steward, + tablet, temple...
5921. al -- upon, above, over
... responsibility (1), ruthlessly* (1), sake (4), sake* (1), sakes (2), settled* (1),
since* (1), so (1), so* (2), sorrow (1), spite (2),steward* (4), surround...
Library
The UnjustSteward.
... THE UNJUSTSTEWARD. See where thesteward, worldly... again in Thy great day!
RICHARD WILTON, MA. [Illustration: THE UNJUSTSTEWARD.]....
The FaithfulSteward
The FaithfulSteward. <. The FaithfulSteward Sereno D. Clark. E-text
prepared by Jared Fuller Table of Contents. Title Page....
The Gains of the FaithfulSteward
... VOLUME II: ST. LUKE Chaps. XIII to XXIV THE GAINS OF THE FAITHFULSTEWARD.
'If ye have not been faithful in that which is another...
The PrudentSteward.
... XXV. THE PRUDENTSTEWARD.... give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be
no longersteward. Then thesteward said within himself, What shall I do?...
The UnjustSteward
... SERMON XLII. THE UNJUSTSTEWARD. Eversley, 1866. NINTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY. Luke
16:8. "And the Lord commended the unjuststeward, because he had done wisely."...
The Sunday-School Teacher --ASteward
... The Sunday-School Teacher"ASteward. A Sermon (No.192).... I. First, then, THE
STEWARD"WHAT IS HE? In the first place, thesteward is a servant....
The GoodSteward
... First Series Sermon 51 The GoodSteward. "Give an account of thy stewardship;
for thou mayest be no longersteward." Luke 16:2. 1...
The UnjustSteward - Dives and Lazarus - Jewish Agricultural Notes...
... THE UNJUSTSTEWARD - DIVES AND LAZARUS - JEWISH AGRICULTURAL NOTES - PRICES OF PRODUCE -
WRITING AND LEGAL DOCUMENTS - PURPLE AND FINE LINEN - JEWISH NOTIONS...
The UnjustSteward.
... RENEWED MINISTRY IN PEREA THE UNJUSTSTEWARD. And he said also unto the
disciples, "There was a certain rich man, who had asteward...
The FaithfulSteward
The FaithfulSteward. <.... Title Page. Prize Essay THE FAITHFULSTEWARD; Or,
Systematic Beneficence an Essential of Christian Character. by. REV....
Thesaurus
Steward (23 Occurrences)... In naval vessels, the captain's
steward, wardroom
steward, steerage
steward, warrant
officers
steward, etc., are petty officers who provide for the messes
...Bilhan (3 Occurrences)
... BILL, BOND, etc. (1) In the parable of the UnjustSteward (Luke 16:6 f) "bill,"
the King James Version, better "bond," the Revised Version (British and American...
Joanna (3 Occurrences)
... (2.) The wife of Chuza, thesteward of Herod Antipas... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
JOANNA. jo-an'-a (Ioana, or Ioanna): The wife of Chuzas, Herod'ssteward....
Mammon (4 Occurrences)
... since the statement, "Make to yourselves friends out of the mammon of unrighteousness,"
follows as a comment on the parable of the UnjustSteward, there is...
Stewardship (7 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) The office of asteward.... give an account of thy
stewardship; for thou mayest be no longersteward. (KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)....
Shebna (9 Occurrences)
... The phrase is translated "steward of the house" in the Revised Version (British
and American) of Genesis 43:16, 19; Genesis 44:1, and occurs also in 39:4...
Governor (78 Occurrences)
... Comp. Luke 2:2, where the verb from which the Greek word so rendered is derived
is used.). (3.)Steward (Galatians 4:2). (4.) Governor...
Wealthy (22 Occurrences)
... The parable of the UnjustSteward (Luke 16) exhorts us to "make.... friends
by means of the mammon of unrighteousness," by which...
Wealth (340 Occurrences)
... The parable of the UnjustSteward (Luke 16) exhorts us to "make.... friends
by means of the mammon of unrighteousness," by which...
Manager (10 Occurrences)
... Luke 8:3 and Joanna wife of Chuza,steward of Herod, and Susanna, and many others,
who were ministering to him from their substance. (See NIV)....
Resources
What is the meaning of the Parable of the Unjust Steward (Luke 16:1-13)? | GotQuestions.orgWhat did Jesus mean when He spoke of making friends by worldly wealth (Luke 16:9)? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the meaning of the Parable of the Talents? | GotQuestions.orgSteward: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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