The Meaning of Stewardship

Christians are to be different and apart from the world, and a good way to start is by practicing stewardship. In a culture that glorifies materialism— true stewardship should stand out. The first principle we must understand about stewardship is ownership. God owns everything. He created everything, so that just stands to reason. Scripture is clear about this:

Psalm 24:1, “The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein, for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers.”

Deuteronomy 10:14, “Behold, to the Lord your God belong heaven and the heaven of heavens, the earth with all that is in it.” Psalm 50:10, “For every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills.” If God owns everything we own nothing. That’s a difficult concept to grasp because we possess a lot of stuff, a house, a car, a bank account. We hold those things, but we don’t own them. God does. We own nothing, from the change in our pocket to the clothes on our back— God owns it all. We’re to use those resources wisely and in obedience to the Lord. If we become arrogant about who’s done what, it’s good to remember that even the skills and abilities we have to acquire wealth belong to God. They’re only “on loan” and we’re to use them to glorify Him, first and foremost, not to enrich ourselves. Deuteronomy 8:17-18 makes this clear: “Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.’ You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day.” The next principle is responsibility. As stewards, we have no rights over what we temporarily possess by the Lord’s provision. But we do have responsibility to use those resources wisely for His purposes.

There’s nothing wrong with enjoying God’s provision, but we must seek to balance that with using His resources for His purposes.

1 Timothy 6:17 warns us not to forget this. “As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share.”

One day, each of us will stand before the Lord to give an account of how we used His resources, just as did the servants in the Parable of the Talents.

The difference is we’ll be accountable for everything, not just money, but our time and abilities, too. Those are all resources God has given us, so we must use them wisely.

How do we know where to draw the line? How do we enjoy God’s provision without clinging to it and claiming it for our own? That’s something each of us must determine in quiet prayer with the Holy Spirit.

Here Romans 8:26 guides us. “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” Trust Him to tell you if you’re enjoying, or squandering, what the Lord has given you. The last principle is reward. We have reason enough to be good stewards because of what God has already given us, the priceless gift of His Son for our salvation. In His mercy and generosity, the Lord promises even more blessings when we are faithful stewards. Colossians 3 reads, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Jesus further affirms this principle in Matthew 25, the Parable of the Talents. “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.” How we manage God’s provision will determine whether we hear those words someday. We all want to be declared, “good and faithful stewards.” You can also listen the related podcast on this topic.

The Meaning of Stewardship

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