When people hear the word “stewardship,” many assume it’s a financial term—something church leaders use when discussing giving. But biblical stewardship is much deeper and far more personal.
Jesus didn’t talk about money to make us uncomfortable. He talked about it because it reflects what’s going on in our hearts. He knew that how we manage the things God gives us—money, time, influence, relationships—reveals who or what we trust.
And that’s the core of stewardship.
Defining Stewardship: A Biblical Foundation
The word stewardship comes from the Greek word “oikonomos” (οἰ “κονόμος), which means “manager of a household” or “one who is over” meaning “IRS of another.” A steward isn’t the owner—they’re entrusted with the responsibility to care for something on behalf of someone else.
In Deuteronomy 8:18, we’re reminded that even our ability to earn wealth comes from God:
“But remember that the LORD your God gives you the power to gain wealth to confirm His covenant.”
That’s the foundation of biblical stewardship: God owns it all. We are simply managers.
Stewardship Is More Than Money
Faithful stewardship touches every part of our lives:
- Time: Are we using our days with purpose or letting them slip away?
- Talents: Are we using our gifts to serve others or hiding them out of fear?
- Relationships: Are we investing in the people God placed in our lives?
- Finances: Are we budgeting wisely, giving faithfully, and living contentedly?
- Stewardship isn’t just about how much you give; it’s about how well you manage what you’ve been given.
Jesus said in Luke 16:10:
“Whoever is faithful in very little is also faithful in much.”
It’s a test. Not one based on performance but on faithfulness.
Stewardship Begins With Contentment
One of the greatest obstacles to good stewardship is comparison. We spend so much time looking at what others have that we forget to be grateful for what God has given us.
But if we can’t be faithful with what’s already in our hands, why would God trust us with more?
Contentment isn’t about settling—it’s about seeing clearly. It’s about recognizing that what you have is enough for now and choosing to honor God with it.
Stewardship Requires a Shift in Perspective
In Matthew 6, Jesus urges us not to store up treasure on earth but in heaven. Why? Because our treasure follows our heart—and our heart follows our treasure.
God isn’t just concerned with our giving—He’s concerned with our living. He wants us to:
- Stop chasing more and start managing well
- Stop living like owners and start thinking like stewards
- Stop clinging tightly and start living open-handed
Money is a tool. Influence is a tool. Time is a tool. They’re all meant to serve God’s kingdom, not just our comfort.
Stewardship Is About Trust
At its core, stewardship is a trust issue. God entrusts us with time, talents, treasures, and relationships—not to see how impressive we can be but to see how faithful we’ll be.
The goal isn’t to accumulate more. The goal is to honor God with what we already have.
Take some time this week and ask yourself:
- What am I holding onto too tightly?
- Am I managing what I’ve been given with wisdom and purpose?
- How is my stewardship pointing others to Jesus?
Because one day, we’ll give an account, not for what we didn’t have, but for what we did.
Let us be faithful stewards of all that God has given us.
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