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The word stewardship is found only three times in the Bible. All three references are recorded in the sixteenth chapter of Luke. It will
be helpful if you read the passage about the unjust steward as recorded in Luke 16:1-13. The passage deals with a steward who was called
into question about his stewardship. It is intended to cause us to question our own stewardship and see whether or not we please God.
In addition to the three verses which use the word stewardship, there are fifteen additional Scriptures which use the word steward.
A diligent study of them clearly establishes the Christian's duty with regard to stewardship.
Let us begin our study by endeavoring to understand the meaning of stewardship. In biblical times a steward was an officer or employee
whose job was to manage the domestic concerns of a family or estate. Sometimes his duties included supervising servants or caring for the
children of the family by whom he was employed. At other times his duties included collecting monies and keeping accounts, as
described in the passage from Luke 16. Even though he was entrusted with a variety of duties, it is obvious that whether his responsibilities
included the care of people or possessions, he always took care of something that belonged to others. It is important to keep in mind
that his responsibilities involved properties not owned by the steward but entrusted to his care.
It should also be realized that stewardship was a common occupation during many of the periods which are covered by Bible history.
Stewards were mentioned as early as Abraham's time. Elizer of Damascus is said to have been Abraham's steward (Gen. 15:2). Later
Jacob acted in this capacity in the household of Laban. While he is not actually called a steward, the responsibilities seem to indicate that
he held that position (Gen. 29:15~30). When Joseph was second in command to the Pharaoh in Egypt, he had a steward who served him
(Gen. 43:19, Gen. 44:4). During the years that David was King of Israel he had many stewards who were responsible for all his
possessions (l Chron. 28:1). Even in the New Testament the position of steward continued to exist, as amply evident from the various
Scripture references which include the passage from Luke. While these passages remind us that it was an ancient position, they should also
serve to help us recognize that the responsibilities of stewardship continue and are binding upon all saved people. Our duties may differ
from those of the biblical stewards, but the fact remains that we are stewards. God has entrusted to us a variety of gifts; therefore, whether
good or bad, just or unjust, we must all give an account of our stewardship.
When we recognize the fact that we are stewards and must account for our stewardship to God, we should then endeavor to discover
our duties and discharge them in a manner that will please Him. One of the parables of our Lord, the parable of the vineyard, deals with
the stewardship of ministers. A man hired laborers to work in the vineyard, hiring them at various hours during the day. "So when even
was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the
first" (Mt. 20:8). I see Jesus as the householder, the church as His vineyard, and the minister as the steward, with the members laboring
in the vineyard. If this analogy is true, then ministers do have a duty and responsibility to the Lord as stewards over His house and Word.
Stewardship, however, is not limited to the ministry but actually includes everyone who is saved by God's Son, Jesus Christ. All of
us who are saved and hold the hope of heaven in our hearts are recipients of God's grace. Peter said, "As every man hath received
the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God" (l Peter 4: 10). Paul wrote, "Now there
are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit" (l Cor. 12:4). Blending these two Scriptures together we must recognize that God's Holy Spirit
has given us gifts, and as objects of God's grace we are stewards of those spiritual gifts. Perhaps you remember the parable of the talents
as recorded in Mt. 25: 14-30. It tells of one who was given five talents, another who was given two talents, and a third individual who was
given only one talent. Those talents were actually monetary gifts, but the nature of the gifts makes no difference. Whether entrusted with
monies or abilities, the steward is to use the trust wisely. If someone can sing, play an instrument, teach, pray in public, preach, or use
anyone of a great diversity of other gifts, he is to use his talent in the church and thereby share with the whole body so that all may
benefit and be blessed. God did not give us talents for our benefit only; we are stewards of them, and are therefore to minister to each
other as Peter admonished, that we may be good stewards of God's grace. If anyone of us fails to use our abilities for the good of others
and to the glory of God, we are not good stewards. No one but you and God can know what is in your heart and whether or not you
have been a good steward of the gifts He entrusted to your care.
Having mentioned spiritual gifts, we must recognize that there are also temporal gifts of which God has made us stewards. All temporal
possessions are on loan from God. Paul quoted Psalm 24:1 and said, "For the earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof" (l Cor. 10:26,
28). Everything we possess belongs to God; it is not really ours. The evidence of this truth lies in the fact that when we die we can take
none of it with us. All things which bless our lives God has given for our use. Every good and perfect gift is from God (James 1:17),
and we are to be good stewards of our children, homes, salaries, cars, and other material possessions. Good stewards of such blessings should
endeavor to use them in such a manner that the Master, not the steward, receives the ultimate benefit from them.
In addition to the spiritual and temporal blessings mentioned, we should recognize that the greatest gift God has entrusted to us is life
itself. Our natural life belongs to God and will one day return to Him at our death (Ecc. 12:7). God created life and He also preserves our
lives from day to day. Paul said, "...For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For
we are also his offspring" (Acts 17:28). Because we live, move, and have our being from God, we are to live for Him and move in His
service. Only then are we good stewards of the life which God has imparted to us. Some of God's children not only use the Lord's day
for themselves, but they also use the life and strength which God gives and exhaust their energies only on personal pursuits. This is
sin, "For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's" (l Cor. 6:20). How can
we doubt that we belong to God and how can we fail to take seriously the stewardship of our lives? A good steward will use his life to bring
glory to God.
As we conclude this study I want to reemphasize that stewards are entrusted with properties which belong to another. I have endeavored
to help you realize that all we are and have belongs to God, and we are stewards of it. Regardless of whether God entrusts much or little
to our care, He requires faithfulness of us all. Paul wrote "Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful" (l Cor. 4:2).
How would you feel if you found that a steward managing your home affairs was using your possessions for his own gain and benefit? You
would probably do as did the man in the parable which began our study; you would likely require that steward to account for his actions.
Do you realize that God is doing the same? All you possess belongs to Him. Grace, blessings, and life itself all came from God that you
may be a steward of these and all else you possess. Are you using these possessions only for your good, glory, and gain, or do you use
them in such a way that they bring glory to God also? If you do the latter, then you are a good steward. Let us reexamine ourselves in
the light of the Scriptures which we have studied. May we renew our commitment to the goal of being a good steward who pleases our
Master in heaven, and let us serve Him with all that He has lovingly entrusted to our care.
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