You may have heard that it’s important to “be a good steward.”
If you’ve worked under someone you may have some specific ideas about what makes a good steward. But then, what makes someone a “good steward” according to the Bible?
Jesus himself asks, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns” (Luke 12:42-43, NIV).
The passage above in other words, points out to the fact that, a good steward is a servant who is mindful that Jesus will return anytime. It’s the person who behaves like he is a servant who will be held accountable for his care of others. The story of the good steward predicts Jesus’ return to judge and reward each one according to how faithful he/she was towards what was committed to him/her. We have been called to invest in, build up, and increase God’s kingdom for his return. We have been entrusted with the treasures of the gospel, faith, and authority in the spiritual realm. Do we use these kingdom treasures or bury them? A good steward is always mindful that he or she works for God; That God is the owner. As the scriptures will say in Psalm 24:1 “The earth and everything in it, the world and its inhabitants, belong to the LORD”.
Good stewards take care of the gifts God has given them to manage. So, what will we be held accountable for? We have been made stewards of the things of earth – such as money, possessions and even people. But the most precious thing we steward as God’s servants is His kingdom.
Jesus tells his disciples in Matthew 10:16 “be wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.” In the parable of the talents, the good stewards invested their resources wisely. A faithful steward engages the wisdom God has given them and employs that talent to serve in God’s kingdom. Maybe you’re wondering, “What are some good examples of stewardship?”There are many!
Noah was a good steward of the construction of the boat and rescuing animals & people from the coming flood. Moses, a good steward, was given stewardship of Israel, to lead them out of Egypt and through the desert. Judas was given stewardship of the money that Jesus and
the other apostles had. He was a pretty bad steward.. not only of the grace God had given him to be in His presence but of the money too.
When we look at Paul, who was given the stewardship from God to preach the gospel to gentiles (Acts 22:21) is a great example of good stewardship. In Colossians 1:24 Paul says, “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake.” In contrast to the unfaithful servant, Paul suffered for the sake of others. He says, “Of which I was made a servant according to the stewardship of God which was given me toward you to fulfill the word of God”(Colossians 1:24-26). And when we look at 1 Corinthians 9:17, Paul points out the fact that he is working for God and not for his own personal gain. “For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward. But if not of my own will, I have a stewardship entrusted to me.” A good steward puts aside personal gain and ambitions in order to show kindness and care for the well-being of those God has put under their watch. God has put you as a steward over something; it could be a group of people, a spiritual gift, money, your life, it could be anything.
How is your stewardship? Remember, he will come at an hour you least expected, will he find you faithful to that which he has committed to you?
May we finish this journey as faithful and good stewards,
Amen & Amen.
Abednego Kasimu Ishaku