Stewardship is a fundamental concept; it is practised daily by different people in different settings, with totally different understanding and motives! The primary question, do all Christians understand stewardship in God’s perspective?
A steward is defined as a person who manages another's property or financial affairs; one who administers anything as the agent of another or others. Stewardship, on the other hand, means the management or care of something. Scripturally, stewardship as a subject has been given great attention right from Genesis to Revelation! We are called to manage God’s resources here on earth; this means that we own nothing! The word of God reminds us that the earth and everything in it belong to God (Psalm 24:1); consequently, everything we claim to own isn’t actually ours! We are custodians of God’s creation.
In the Garden of Eden, man is instructed to cultivate the land and keep it (Genesis 2:15); this means we are to add value, preserve or protect. Do our surroundings speak to the reality of a man walking in obedience of the mandate given by His Creator? Can you boldly say that you are that steward worthy of God’s approval? What’s your rating? Are your actions in relation to stewardship a vindication or judgement!
Practising stewardship ought to be a lifestyle of a true believer! 1 Peter 4:10 teaches that every believer has received a God‑given gift and must use it to serve others as a “good steward” of God’s manifold grace. A call to service is a call to true stewardship! We must passionately use our abilities to serve God’s people and carefully manage every resource under our care.
Most of the time, people look at others as worthy of the call to serve in different areas while allowing themselves to watch at a distance! This attitude blinds a person not to see the gaps or even give self sacrificially for God’s glory. As a steward in Potiphar’s house, Joseph exhibited a high level of excellence in service to the level of winning his master’s trust.
“And his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord made all he did to prosper in his hand. So Joseph found favor in his sight, and served him. Then he made him overseer of his house, and all that he had he put into his hand. So it was, from the time that he had made him overseer of his house and all that he had, that the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the Lord was on all that he had in the house and in the field.” Genesis 39:3-5.
Joseph earned the place of honour because the Lord was with him, and truly his record of stewardship was exemplary. We are challenged to learn from such biblical examples. Stewardship isn’t without challenges; ours is to rely on the guidance of the Holy Spirit. God’s message to Zerubbabel: "Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit.” Zechariah 4:6
Therefore, God has entrusted us to manage all resources on his behalf. We ought to be faithful, accountable, committed and generous enough to win the hearts of many to God through our art of stewardship in God’s Kingdom. Are you that kind of Steward? God is counting on you and me to fill that gap. Stand up and be counted as a good Steward.
~Authored by Deacon Jacob Malova