What is Stewardship?
Stewardship is a topic that is very dear to my heart. As I’ve studied more on the subject, I first have to ask the question: What is stewardship?
In going through my Kingdom Advisors coursework, the definition that was shared is “utilizing and managing all resources God provides for the glory of God and the betterment of His creation.” This is the biblical view of stewardship.
Often, when we hear the term Stewardship, the first thing that comes to mind is money or our finances. This is not the sole purpose of being a good steward.
Stewardship Explained
We are stewards of various resources: time, talent, treasure, truth and relationships, for the accomplishment of God given goals and objectives. I have come to realize that stewardship is not just in the way we use our financial resources. It is in the way we manage anything and everything that God has entrusted to us. It is in the way that we take care of our relationships and how we love others. It is the way we manage our time, not just for ourselves but being able to be generous to those who need our time, and furthering the work that God has called us to – being able to minister to others, both inside and outside of the church building.
Areas of Stewardship
Time
God has blessed us with time for a specific purpose: to do His will and to share our time with others, being able to serve who He calls us to serve and share our time with.
“In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will.”
Talent
We have each been blessed with various talents to serve in different areas of ministry to be able to complete the work that God has called us to.
“For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your[a] faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,[b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. ”
Treasure
We are called to share our treasure with those who are in need. Not selfishly or for accolades, but as we have been blessed, to be able to share for the betterment of all.
“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.”
Truth
We are called to be truth bearers in our stewardship lives. When we love others, we don’t merely do it by talking, we show it in our actions and in truth.
“Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. ”
Relationships
Building on the previous point of loving others in action and truth love, we are called as stewards to show love towards oneone towards another. We can do great things in our lives, but if we do not do it with love and in relation to others, it means nothing.
“If I speak in the tongues[a] of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,[b] but do not have love, I gain nothing. ”
When we start looking at our lives through a stewardship lens, we realize that it is the only area of the Christian life that cannot be faked.
1 Chronicles 29:11-12 reminds us “Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the splendor and the majesty, for everything in the heavens and on earth belongs to you. Yours, Lord, is the Kingdom, and You are exalted as head over all. Riches and honor come from Your, and You are the ruler of everything. Power and might are in Your hand, and it is in Your hand to make great and to give strength to all.”
As always, feel free to reach out to one of our advisors should you need guidance on your stewardship journey!
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