Most people in the church world view finances as The focus for stewardship. And indeed most of the examples from scripture reinforce that view. A steward is typically the person who has charge of the money of his ‘master’. A more contemporary definition would include those whose primary responsibility is to serve food and drink. But in either case, the emphasis is on the servant role of the steward, one who is responsible for other’s assets – not their own.
One of the critical aspects to remember is that as a steward you aren’t just responsible for your handling of finances. How you steward your time, energy, talents, gifts are equally important. All of those ‘qualities’ belong to you – it’s the Father’s gift to you, to do with as you decide. How you utilize them is your gift back to the Father. But these are as valuable and important to steward as is the financial. In all cases, the value is not in saving them, but in how you employ them…. for the benefit of the owner.
Rather than focusing on only the servant component we should look to the honor that is accorded us when we are promoted stewards. The underlying quality a steward must exhibit is trustworthiness. One can always make mistakes but if you aren’t trustworthy then you will never succeed as a steward.
The scripture in Matthew (13:12) states … “For whoever has, to him more will be given…” Luke (12:48) emphasizes the importance: “…to whom much is given, from him much will be required…” These two similar scriptures tell us the importance of the steward’s role. It also indicates that as you are faithful with a little, more will be given you (Matthew 25:21).
If you were your master, would you be pleased with your stewardship?
