One of the common themes that we have been coming back to again and again this year in our organization is, what does it mean to be a Good Steward? It is important to truly know what our stewardship responsibility entails. So, in this article, we set out to answer the question: What is Stewardship?

 

What is Stewardship?

Stewardship is the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one’s care.

 

What is Biblical Stewardship?

Biblical stewardship is about exercising our God-given dominion over His Creation. Through our stewardship, we reflect God’s image and care toward all of Creation, fulfill our roles as caretakers, care for things as He would, which would include creation and ourselves. (modified version of this definition found on ChristianStewardshipNetwork)

 

What is Biblical Financial Stewardship?

Biblical Financial Stewardship is managing God’s resources and blessings, in God’s ways, for His glory. It assumes that God is the owner, and we are the steward (or caretaker). Our care ought to be focused on bringing God the Glory with our use and caretaking of His possessions!

 

What Does it Mean to be a Good Steward?

It’s not about how much money you make. It’s not just about how much you give. Stewardship is a way of life!

  • The widow’s mite (Mark 12:41–44, NIV84) – “Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”

The widow did not make a lot of money, and she did not give a lot of money. But she recognized that God is worth everything, and that she could entrust herself and her resources into His care.

 

Characteristics of Good Stewards

  • They live knowing that God is in control:
    • “Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.” (Proverbs 19:21, NIV84)
  • They live in a trustworthy manner:
    • “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.” (Luke 16:10, NIV84)
  • The live in light of future rewards:
    • “Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done.” (Revelation 22:12, NIV84)

 

Stewardship Application

What is Biblical Financial Stewardship?  It is managing God’s resources and blessings in God’s ways for His glory. How are you doing with this? Are you stewarding what is in your care for His Glory, or yours? What is your current stewardship endgame?

Our goal is to be “a good steward” with what God has put into our care. One way you can do that is through reach out to us for our free Personal Stewardship Reviews. This is not a sales pitch, but a service to you, our listener. Our goal in this is to help you move from where you are today to becoming an even better steward of God’s possessions tomorrow!

 

 

Material presented is property of The Stewardology Podcast, a ministry of Life Financial Group and Life Institute. You may not copy, reproduce, modify, create derivative works, or exploit any content without the expressed written permission of The Stewardology Podcast. For more information, contact us at Contact@StewardologyPodcast.com or (800) 688-5800.

The topics discussed in this podcast are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific investment advice or recommendations.  Investing and investment strategies involve risk including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.

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