In the New Testament, the Greek word for steward, οἰκονόμος oikonomos, is given a similar definition to Webster's third definition. Nevertheless, the Bible does point to us as God's steward of material resources. The original intent appears to be for man to extend Eden's order into Eden's outer regions.Īs we seek to understand what stewardship is, it would be wise for us not to forget these definitions, less our view of stewardship becomes materially focused only. This new Creation needed people to fill it and to subdue its potentially wild state. God's command to be fruitful and multiply is an extension of this stewardship order. This naming was an act of providing order, as was his role to care and preside over Eden and its inhabitants. Paul's "one another" passages, instructions to Timothy, and his letters, while primarily pointing to Christ, also instruct us how we are to shepherd and steward those who are "in Christ." Stewarding Orderįrom the very beginning of Creation, God instructed humans to have dominion (charge of) over Creation. The Bible and especially the New Testament are replete with examples of how we should treat one another. Let's examine these two concepts briefly before we get to the definition that we typically think applies. An essential aspect of biblical stewardship is looking after people and providing order over Creation. While the third definition is most in line with the term as the Bible uses it, we shouldn't ignore the first two. Defining Stewardship:Īccording to Webster's Dictionary, there are three definitions given to the English word steward:Ī person who looks after the passengers on a ship, aircraft, or train and brings them meals.Īn official appointed to supervise arrangements or keep order at a large public event, for example, a sporting event.Ī person employed to manage another's property, especially a large house or estate. A steward's role is central to who he is and what he's been called to accomplish in life and ministry. Biblical stewardship is a phrase we don't use too often in our daily vernacular, yet Jesus talks about being a steward over and over, as do the authors of the Bible.
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