The concept of management, while not explicitly named in the Bible, is deeply embedded in the scriptural narrative through principles of stewardship, leadership, and responsibility. The Bible provides numerous examples and teachings that illustrate the importance of managing resources, people, and one's own life in accordance with God's will.

Stewardship and Resource Management

The Bible begins with the theme of stewardship in the creation narrative. In Genesis 1:28 , God commands Adam and Eve to "fill the earth and subdue it; rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and every creature that moves on the ground." This mandate establishes humanity's role as stewards of God's creation, responsible for managing the earth's resources wisely and sustainably.

The parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30 further emphasizes the importance of managing resources. In this parable, a master entrusts his servants with varying amounts of money before leaving on a journey. Upon his return, he rewards those who have managed and multiplied their resources effectively, while the servant who buried his talent out of fear is reprimanded. This account underscores the expectation that individuals should actively and wisely manage what they have been given.

Leadership and People Management

Biblical leadership is another form of management, where individuals are called to guide and care for others. Moses is a prime example of a leader who managed the people of Israel through their exodus from Egypt and their journey to the Promised Land. Despite challenges, Moses demonstrated qualities of patience, humility, and reliance on God, as seen in Exodus 18:13-27 , where he listens to Jethro's advice to delegate responsibilities to capable men, thus improving the management of the people.

The New Testament also provides guidance on leadership. In 1 Peter 5:2-3 , church leaders are instructed to "be shepherds of God’s flock that is among you, watching over them—not out of compulsion, but because it is God’s will; not out of greed, but out of eagerness; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock." This passage highlights the importance of managing people with integrity, humility, and a servant's heart.

Self-Management and Personal Responsibility

The Bible also addresses the management of one's own life, emphasizing self-discipline and personal responsibility. Proverbs 25:28 states, "Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who does not control his temper." This proverb illustrates the necessity of self-control as a form of self-management, essential for maintaining order and stability in one's life.

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul speaks to the importance of self-discipline in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 , where he compares the Christian life to a race, urging believers to "run in such a way as to get the prize." Paul emphasizes the need for self-control and discipline in all areas of life to achieve spiritual goals.

Conclusion

The Bible provides a comprehensive framework for understanding management through the lenses of stewardship, leadership, and personal responsibility. These principles are timeless and applicable to various aspects of life, encouraging believers to manage their resources, relationships, and personal conduct in a manner that honors God and reflects His character.1. (n.) The handling or government of anything, but esp. of a horse; management; administration. See Manege.

2. (n.) To have under control and direction; to conduct; to guide; to administer; to treat; to handle.

3. (n.) Hence: Esp., to guide by careful or delicate treatment; to wield with address; to make subservient by artful conduct; to bring around cunningly to one's plans.

4. (n.) To train in the manege, as a horse; to exercise in graceful or artful action.

5. (n.) To treat with care; to husband.

6. (n.) To bring about; to contrive.

7. (v. i.) To direct affairs; to carry on business or affairs; to administer.

3621. oikonomeo -- to be a steward, to manage
... to be a steward, to manage. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: oikonomeo Phonetic
Spelling: (oy-kon-om-eh'-o) Short Definition: I am a steward Definition: I ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3621.htm - 6k

3616. oikodespoteo -- to rule a household
... to rule a household. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: oikodespoteo Phonetic
Spelling: (oy-kod-es-pot-eh'-o) Short Definition: I manage a household ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3616.htm - 6k

3623. oikonomos -- the manager of a household
... Word Origin from oikos and nemo (to manage) Definition the manager of a household
NASB Word Usage manager (3), managers (1), steward (2), stewards (3 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3623.htm - 7k

4291b. proistemi -- to put before, to set over, to rule
... Origin from pro and histemi Definition to put before, to set over, to rule NASB
Word Usage engage (2), have charge over (1), leads (1), manage (1), managers (1 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4291b.htm - 5k

4231. pragmateuomai -- to busy oneself
... 4231 () means "turning something over," making a good trade -- ie "to good
account . . to administrate, manage profitably the capital at your disposal ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4231.htm - 7k

Through-The-Week Activities for Boys' Organized Classes
... Physical Service". Organize and manage Boys' Baseball Nine. Organize and manage
Boys' Football Eleven. Organize and manage Boys' Basket-ball Five. ...
/.../the boy and the sunday school/x through-the-week activities for boys.htm

What it Means to Trust the Lord
... Thus, he would have to manage both his wife and the horse, making his task
doubly difficult. How many of us are just like that woman! ...
//christianbookshelf.org/naylor/heart talks/talk one what it means.htm

Through all this Chaos, Then we Come Back once More to Our Main ...
... Out of all this throng of theories it must somehow select a theory; out of all these
thundering voices it must manage to hear a voice; out of all this awful ...
/.../chesterton/whats wrong with the world/chapter 36 through all this.htm

In the Quarrel Earlier Alluded to Between the Energetic ...
... He must manage to endure somehow the idea of a woman being womanly, which does not
mean soft and yielding, but handy, thrifty, rather hard, and very humorous. ...
/.../chesterton/whats wrong with the world/chapter 44 in the quarrel.htm

General and Public Concernments Seem at First Unmanageable
... seem at first unmanageable, by reason of their greatness; but in the soul there
is such a secret sufficiency, that it is able upon trial, to manage all objects ...
/.../traherne/centuries of meditations/97 general and public concernments.htm

A Question on the Training in Perfection by which we Can Arrive at ...
... For how could any boy manage to pronounce the simplest union of syllables unless
he had first carefully learnt the letters of the alphabet? ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter viii a question on.htm

The Separation of the Provinces, 1857-1899.
... (e) To nominate and appoint Bishops. (f) To manage the Church's Foreign Missions
and Educational Work. (g) To inspect the Church's general finances. ...
/.../hutton/history of the moravian church/chapter vii the separation of.htm

When Diamond Went Home to Breakfast, He Found his Father and ...
... "I'll manage that," said his mother; and so it was agreed that Diamond should go
to Sandwich. ... I had to contrive a bit, and manage the waves a little. ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 9 when diamond went.htm

Mission Tours.
... Natives, when they travel, as I have already mentioned, manage things in a fashion
which we are not able to imitate, but which I have often been inclined to ...
/.../life and work in benares and kumaon 1839-1877/chapter xiv mission tours.htm

Christian Stewardship.
... We are stewards; and a steward is one who is employed to manage the concerns of
another"his household, money or estate. We are God's stewards. ...
/.../dibble/thoughts on missions/chapter ii christian stewardship.htm

Manage (6 Occurrences)
...Manage (6 Occurrences). ... 1 Timothy 3:5 (but if a man does not know how to manage his
own household, how will he take care of the church of God?), (YLT NAS RSV). ...
/m/manage.htm - 8k

Steward (23 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A man employed in a large family, or on a large estate, to manage the domestic
concerns, supervise other servants, collect the rents or income, keep ...
/s/steward.htm - 21k

Vestry (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (n.) A parochial assembly; an assembly of persons who manage parochial
affairs; -- so called because usually held in a vestry. ...
/v/vestry.htm - 7k

Work (4564 Occurrences)
... any state by action or motion. 22. (vt) To influence by acting upon; to
prevail upon; to manage; to lead. 23. (vt) To form with a ...
/w/work.htm - 12k

Wield (8 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To use with full command or power; to manage;
to handle; as, to wield a sword; to wield the scepter. ...
/w/wield.htm - 9k

Treat (53 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To handle; to manage; to use; to bear one's self
toward; as, to treat prisoners cruelly; to treat children kindly. ...
/t/treat.htm - 23k

Ride (31 Occurrences)
... 4. (vi) To be supported in motion; to rest. 5. (vi) To manage a horse, as an
equestrian. ... 8. (vt) To manage insolently at will; to domineer over. ...
/r/ride.htm - 17k

Behave (18 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To manage or govern in point of behavior;
to discipline; to handle; to restrain. 2. (vt) To carry ...
/b/behave.htm - 11k

Manaen (1 Occurrence)

/m/manaen.htm - 8k

Handle (19 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To manage in using, as a spade or a musket; to wield; often, to manage
skillfully. ... 7. (vt) To manage; to control; to practice skill upon. ...
/h/handle.htm - 14k

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