In Biblical times a steward was one who was entrusted with the management of his master’s property and affairs: thus stewardship was the responsibility or act of fulfilling this management. The steward did not own or possess his master’s resources; he managed them for his master and was paid in a manner of ways for his work, but he did not own the resources (property or whatever) of his master.
While we today may not manage another’s property, we are responsible for managing our own affairs, to be good stewards of what we have. We further need to understand that we did not acquire our assets solely on our own: we likely had the help of others and the aid of our own gifts and talents–gifts and talents granted us by God, not earned through our own efforts. We use the talents, the “gifts” God has given us to earn our livelihoods, and thus we share our wealth with our creator.
We as Christians are asked to return to God and to others some of the wealth entrusted us, to live beyond ourselves, to give not simply to use. But not only ought we give, we need to give, to care, so that we may move toward our God-given potential as His children. As someone once noted, “We work to have a living; we give to have a life.”
What The Bible Says About Being A Good Steward
1 Peter 4:10
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:
Genesis 1:28
And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
Genesis 2:15
The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.
2 Corinthians 9:6-7
The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
Colossians 3:23
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,
Luke 16:11
If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches?
Proverbs 16:3
Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.
Titus 1:7
For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain,
Malachi 3:10
Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.
1 Corinthians 4:2
Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy.
Luke 14:28
For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?
John 3:27
John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven.”
Luke 12:42-46
And the Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom his master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. But if that servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed in coming,’ and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and get drunk, the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces and put him with the unfaithful.”
1 Timothy 6:17-19
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, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.
Proverbs 13:22
A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the sinner’s wealth is laid up for the righteous.
1 Timothy 6:7-8
For we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.
Proverbs 21:20
Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man’s dwelling, but a foolish man devours it.
Psalm 24:1
A Psalm of David. The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein,
Proverbs 3:9
Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce;
Deuteronomy 8:18
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.