What is this thing called stewardship? And how does it make a difference? When asked, most folks know that stewardship has something to do with money. Some might go so far as to say that it involves time, talent, and treasure.

All these answers are correct, but true biblical stewardship involves so much more. Stewardship education needs to be an important part of the stewardship ministry plan of each congregation and women’s organization.

So let’s take a look ...
The biblical definition of a steward is one who has been entrusted to take care of another’s property and who expects to give a final accounting to the owner. Jesus views the steward as the willing custodian of what God has entrusted to God’s people. God holds each steward accountable for the management of what has been committed to him or her. 

Using this definition, we see that biblical stewardship is more than just time, talent, and treasure. As seen in the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14–30), stewardship involves personal initiative and active risk-taking. The essence of Christian stewardship is to do God’s will with Christ as guide and support. Scripture challenges us to rethink our narrow view of stewardship in light of the Gospel’s concern for all people. Many in the United States today live in a culture of consumerism and planned obsolescence; we honor convenience above conscience, and we seek comfort rather than character. 

God confronts us where we are. We are called to turn away from self-centered lives and to follow Christ without regard for reputation, economic security, or immediate personal satisfactions. True biblical stewards, exercising their freedom, are willing servants of God’s Word. Jesus said plainly that life must be risked, even sacrificed, if it is to be lived in his service. 

We are called to be stewards of God’s Word. We have learned that the key to interpreting Scripture is in the teaching and work of Jesus Christ, who was not bound by the teachings of his day. We learn that worship and service to others go hand in hand and that personal evangelism and social action are inseparable. 

We are called to be stewards of self. We must learn the proper use of human resources. No person possesses all gifts. Each needs the contributions and support of the others in the body to live fully. Biblical stewardship teaches us to love people and use possessions rather than use people and love possessions. 

We are called to be stewards of the earth. Many have begun to take constructive steps to curtail use of energy, alter eating habits, recycle materials, participate in environmental causes and action groups. But much more must be learned if we are to be good stewards of God’s creation. We are called to be stewards of human rights in all parts of the world. Human rights — rooted in human dignity — is a biblical concept. Christians in the United States who wish to exercise proper stewardship will bring knowledge, wisdom, integrity, and courage to the political decision-making process in a society that guarantees their right to do so. Christians who do not seek to bring their understanding of God’s will to bear on elections, domestic policies, and international issues are disobedient to Jesus’ directive to give to God what belongs to God.

We are called to be stewards of God’s gifts. We are to manage our material goods responsibly. Selfish desires and insensitive attitudes serve the best interest of no one, and affluence breeds self-reliance rather than God reliance. When we surrender to God’s will for us, we are enabled to use our possessions in the interest of others. 

Stewardship rooted in God’s demands and promises calls for daily ethical decisions and deeds — personal and social. Those who say that they are not strong enough to fulfill this command may be failing to find the strength offered to them through the resources of the Gospel, either because they do not seek it or because they are unwilling to pay the cost of acting with that strength. As biblical stewards, then, we are called to serve actively in the community and world in which we live. We are called to give generously to meet the needs of our neighbor. We are called to speak out as informed citizens. We are called to become active in government at all levels. We are called to be faithful to God’s word — which is the supreme test of biblical stewardship. If we practice true biblical stewardship, we will make a difference!