STEWARDSHIP
Biblical View
A biblical view of stewardship can be consciously defined as responsibility bestowed on man to utilize and manage all resources God provides for the glory of God and the betterment of His creation. To which he would be answerable on how best or worst the resources were utilized, and then face judgment.
The central essence of biblical world view of stewardship is managing everything God brings into the believer’s life in a manner that honors God and impacts eternity and be accountable to HIM.
“Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” (1 Corinthians 4:1-2)
“So, then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” (Romans 14:12)
“And it is appointed unto men to die, but after this the judgment. (Hebrews 9:27)
“But I say unto you that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.” (Matthew 7:1-5)
“Let a man so account of us as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.” (1 Corinthians 4:1)
Biblical Stewardship begins and ends with the understanding that God owns all.
“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” (Revelation 22:13)
“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” (Psalm 24:1)
“To the Lord your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it.” (Deuteronomy 10:14)
“The land must not be sold permanently, because the land is mine and you are but aliens and my tenants.” (Leviticus 25:23)
“Who has a claim against me that I must pay? Everything under heaven belongs to me.” (Job 41:11)
Stewardship is further supported and sustained theologically on the understanding of God’s holiness as found in such verse as: Genesis 1:2; Psalm 104, Psalm 113, 1 Chronicles 29:10-20, Colossians 1:16, and Revelation 1:8.
Responsibility bestows on Christian Steward
Christian Stewardship refers to the responsibility that Christians have in maintaining and using wisely the gifts that God has bestowed. God wishes human beings to be his stewards in the work of all things created, redemption and sanctification. Knowing fully well that the two basics of Creation are Nature and Man, thus man has to be fully involved in environmental protection, and also share the resources of treasure, time and talent.
In The Beginning
The commencement of stewardship is in Genesis 2:15 “And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.” The drive to “keep and dress’ the garden in which we he was placed”. Stewardship in Christianity follows from the belief that human beings are created by the same God who created the entire universe and everything in it. To look after the Earth, and thus to assert God’s dominion, is the responsibility of the Christian steward.
- WHO A STEWARD IS: A steward is a person who is manager of another’s goods. With such responsibility there comes a day of reckoning. Sooner or later the time arrives when the steward will be held upon to render a personal accounting.
- Man given dominion. “And God said, let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.” Genesis 1: 26 (KJV)
God says, “The earth is the LORD’s, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.” Psalm 24: 1.
Note: The Lord entrusted the management of things on the earth to man. “And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.” Genesis 2: 15; Psalm 115:16; Genesis 1:28.
“But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eat thereof thou shalt surely die.” Genesis ‘2: 17.
Note: This tree of the knowledge of good and evil became the test of man’s acknowledgement of God’s ownership of all things.
When Adam and Eve failed (Genesis 3:6) what did God do?
“So, he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubism, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.” Genesis 3: 24.
Time of reckoning: “Where art thou? … Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast, thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat? What is this that thou hast done?” Gen. 3:9-13 Unfaithfulness on the part of man was sin. However, God promised to redeem fallen man. Genesis 3: 15. God pronounced judgment on the devil and predicted the coming of one to deliver man from sin. What does God require of us as stewards today? Our question should be: “What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me?” Ps. 116: 12.
MAN BEING A STEWARD OF TALENTS
After Christ had revealed some of the signs of His return, He told His disciples to watch and be ready.
- What is involved in watching for Christ’s coming? Jesus gave His parable of the talents to answer this question. It is evident that Jesus intended that the time of waiting be spent in diligent labor. “For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several abilities; and straightway took his journey.” Matthew 25:14,15.
- Two things given to God’s servants“For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.” Mark 13:34. Using the authority and talents : Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. And likewise, he that had received two, he also gained other two. But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money.” Matthew 25: 16-18.
A broader concept of stewardship is illustrated in Jesus’ parable of the “talents”, which refer to an amount of money but by implication (and by common use of the word in English) as “abilities.” Matthew 25.14-30 – 14 “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them. 15 To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey.
19 After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them.
- Assessment, Appraisal, Commendation, Condemnation: “…Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful over a few things; I will make thee ruler over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” and “…thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed. 30. And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. In Luke 12: 41-48, the parable of the unfaithful servant ended with verse 48 “But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.”
“For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.” Luke 12:48, last part. Note: God has bestowed talents to each of His servants. It should be no concern of ours as to how many talents God has given us. We should, however, ask, what am I doing with the talents which I have received? “His lord answered and said unto him, thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.” Matthew 25:26,27. What words of commendation were spoken to the servant who had used his talents? “His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” Matthew 25 :21. Note: The talents of money in the parable rep- resent the abilities God entrusts with each one of us and they are to be used in glorifying God and in blessing our fellowmen.
- Talents Christ entrusted to His church through the Holy Spirit. “For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; to another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to other divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: but all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.” 1 Cor. 12: 8-11.
Some abilities are inherited – a natural bent for some things; other abilities are acquired through training. Some abilities are supernatural endowments of the Holy Spirit. Since we live and move and have our being in God (Acts 17:28), in a very real sense our abilities have been given us of God. The particular abilities listed in this text are supernatural endowments.
- Upon what basis does God expect returns? When God gives a talent to be used, He gives His servant full responsibility. “And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.” Luke 19:13. However, with the responsibility the master will one day expect the steward to give an account.” After a long time, the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.” Matthew 25: 19. “And he said also unto his disciples, there was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods. And he called him, and said unto him, how is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for
thou mayest be no longer steward.” Luke 16: 1,2. Let us ask God to help us to be faithful in our stewardship. BEING A STEWARD OF TIME 1.Time is a talent given to every person. All are given the same amount of time – 24 hours in a day. We are admonished to redeem time. But how can this be? Paul says, “Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.” Colossians 4:5. There is no way to call back even one moment of time. Therefore, “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5: 15,16. It is our duty as stewards to make the most of the time remaining by seeking constantly to do God’s will. The time is now : “Sow to Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.” Hosea 10: 12. Note: The ancient prophet expresses a universal truth. It is always present duty to seek God. II Corinthians 6:2. “And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now, is our salvation nearer than when we be- lived.” Romans 13: 11. “The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we flyaway.” Psalm 90: 10. “Remember how short my time is.” Psalm 89:47. 2. Our spiritual work “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.” 2 Corinthians 5:20. As we sow the gospel seed in our time it is encouraging to know that “they that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” Psalm 126:5,6. Appropriate timing: “Say not yet, there are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.” John 4:35. Mind the day and the week. “Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD: whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he , shall surely be put to death.” Exodus 31: 15. 3. As a faithful steward of time, three things and three things ought I to do now “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.” Revelation 1 :3. Psalm 1:1 ”Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.” Note: Living in the time when Christ will soon appear it is important to improve our time by reading God’s Word, listening to God’s Word proclaimed, and then conforming our lives to what He says. Joshua 1:8 – meditate, observe and do. James 1: 22 – be doers. It seems that there is “a time to every purpose under heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8.
Man often struts and shouts as if he were master. Man is steward over the things entrusted to him by God. Never forget it – God is the time- keeper. The above verses in Ecclesiastes are God’s time bill which indicates times of change, of direction, and of progress. As stewards of
God it is up to us to be faithful at every time in the discharging of our responsibilities. The great thing is to know the time and to say the right thing at the right moment.
MAN BEING A STEWARD OF MONEY
- The stewardship of money also involves God’s claim upon our finances. Let us inquire “What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me?” Psalm 116: 12. The spirit of giving is the spirit of heaven. Read John 3: 16. No selfish person will ever enter heaven. There are three kinds of givers – the flint, the sponge, and the honeycomb. You must hammer the flint to get chips and sparks only. You must squeeze the sponge to get water. But the honeycomb just overflows with its own sweetness. Let us deter- mine not to be like the flint, stingy and hard, nor like the sponge, which must be pressed to give. We ought to be like the honeycomb, for the Bible says, “God loveth a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:7.
- By whose power is wealth obtained? “But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.” Deuteronomy 8:18. Read Proverbs 10:22. How much belongs to God? “The earth is the LORD’s, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. ” Psalm 24: 1. Read also Psalm 100:3; 50: 10,11; Haggai 2 :8. How much of our income is holy unto the Lord? “And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD’s: it is holy unto the LORD … And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, even of whatsoever passeth under the rod, the tenth shall be holy unto the LORD.” Leviticus 27:30,32; Genesis 14:20; Hebrews 7:2,4. Note: What is a tithe? The Bible says Abram pursued the kings who had plundered Sodom and Gomorrah. When he returned, the Bible indicates he gave tithes of all (Genesis 14:19,20). In Hebrews 7:2,4 it is explained that he gave a tenth MAN BEING A STEWARD- OF THE BODY 1.The Bible has much to say about personal health. Sometimes man reasons that the care of human body is strictly up to him. No one the right to tell him what to do regarding the of his body. This reasoning is wrong on at two counts. First, God created man in His image. Genesis 1 :26,27. Second, as stewards over our bodies we are to glorify God. know ye not that your body is the people of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For are bought with a price: therefore, glorify in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 1 Corinthians 6: 19,20. 2. What is God’s desire for His children? “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou may rest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” 3 John 2. God promised His people, “I will take sickness away from the midst of thee.” Exodus 23:25. God promised not to allow disease to afflict His people provided they would keep all His commandments. Read Exodus 15 :26.
- Glorify God with your body “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God” 1 Corinthians 10: 3l. How serious a matter is it to disregard the proper care of the body? In John, Chapter 5, is the account of a cripple at the pool of Bethesda. He had been in that condition for thirty-eight years. The abuse of his health, which had led to his condition, was considered to be sin by Jesus (John 5: 14). Breaking physical or moral law is sin against the Creator. 4. Presenting our body : “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” Romans 12: 1. “And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.” Genesis 1: 29. “For thou art a holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth. Thou shalt not eat any abominable thing.” Deuteronomy 14:2,3.
“Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.” Proverbs 23: 31,32. Read also Proverbs 20: 1. MAN IS A STEWARD IN HIS EVERYDAY LIVING
It involves a complete transformation of man’s life. The only way this is possible is to heed God’s request, “My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.” Proverbs 23: 26. It is when Christ dwells in the heart by faith that a person’s thoughts and various habits of life will be brought into conformity to the standards as set forth in the Scriptures.
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise on these things. Philippians 4:8; Matthew 7:12
“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with righteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?” 2 Corinthians 6: 14. 1. Your Marriage and Family “And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, and said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.” Matthew 19:4-6. About divorce in Matthew 19:3-9 and Matthew 5:32.
MAN BEING A STEWARD OF THE GOSPEL 1.Is there any level to reach in preaching the Gospel?
“For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glorify of; for necessity is laid upon me, yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! For if I do this willingly, I have a reward, but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me. What is my reward then? Verily that when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.” 1 Corinthians 9:16-18.
- The Motivation.
“But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter, (Gal.2:7); in Galatians 2:6 “…added nothing to me:” which means the apostles had nothing to add to Paul’s preaching. He said he could not stop preaching, even if he wanted to. He was driven by the desire and seal to do what God wanted, using his gift for God’s glory. What special gifts has God given you? Are you motivated, like Paul to honour God with your gift? If you failed you will render your stewardship.
3. Trust and faithfulness in pleasing men and God
“But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God which trieth our hearts.” (1 Thess.2:4. “Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. For the which cause I also suffer these things, never the less I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.” 1 Timothy1:11-12.
4 Stabilizing your stewardship with false teachers
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear: but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Be not thou therefore ashamed of testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;” 2 Timothy 1:7-8
- Recognizing false teaching to avoid being hindrance to your stewardship
“This knows also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy. Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God. Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” 2 Timothy 3:1-5
Things to note about false teaching:
- It stirs up questions and arguments instead of helping people come to Jesus. (1 Timothy 1;4)
- It is often promoted by teachers whose motivation is to make a name for themselves. (1 Timothy 1:7.)
- It will be contrary to true teaching of the Scriptures (1 Timothy 1:6,7; 4:1-3)
- False teachers were motivated by curiosity, power, and prestige.
By contrast, genuine Christian teachers are motivated by love, truth and faith. Christian Teachers and leaders who truly follow Christ will find lasting eternal rewards as they see His truth spread throughout the world and his love transform people everywhere.
CONCLUSION.
I would like to conclude this paper by bringing again to your notice as far as being a steward of the Gospel the words of Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 4:1-2 AMPC
1“So THEN, let us [apostles] be looked upon as ministering servants of Christ and stewards (trustees) of the mysteries (the secret purposes) of God. 2. Moreover, it is [essentially] required of stewards that a man should be found faithful [proving himself worthy of trust].”
Prayer: May the Spirit of the Most High God by the grace and mercy in Christ Jesus guide, teach, instruct us to be and remain faithful and fruitful in His vineyard till we meet Him face to face in Jesus’ Name. Amen. SHALOM.
Rev.(Prof.) Gbenga Sanyaolu Onasanwo JP,FCTI PRESIDENT/RECTOR , URCCM SEMINARY/BIBLE COLLEGE, Lagos