In biblical terms, a steward is someone entrusted with the management of another's property or affairs. The concept of stewardship is woven throughout Scripture, emphasizing responsibility, accountability, and faithfulness in managing what God has entrusted to individuals.

Old Testament References

1. Genesis 39:4-6 · Joseph serves as a prime example of a faithful steward. "Joseph found favor in his sight and became his personal attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household and entrusted him with everything he owned." Joseph's stewardship in Potiphar's house and later in Egypt illustrates the trust and responsibility placed upon a steward.

2. 1 Chronicles 28:1 · King David organized the kingdom's administration, appointing stewards over various aspects of his realm. "David summoned all the officials of Israel to Jerusalem: the leaders of the tribes, the commanders of the divisions in the service of the king, the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, and the stewards over all the property and livestock of the king and his sons."

New Testament References

1. Luke 12:42-44 · Jesus speaks of the faithful and wise steward. "Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master will put in charge of his servants to give them their portion at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions." This parable underscores the importance of diligence and readiness in stewardship.

2. 1 Corinthians 4:1-2 · Paul describes the role of apostles as stewards of God's mysteries. "So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Now it is required of stewards that they be found faithful." Faithfulness is highlighted as a key attribute of a steward.

3. 1 Peter 4:10 · Peter exhorts believers to use their gifts as good stewards. "As good stewards of the manifold grace of God, each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve one another." This passage broadens the concept of stewardship to include spiritual gifts and service within the Christian community.

Principles of Stewardship

· Responsibility: Stewards are responsible for managing the resources and tasks assigned to them. This includes material possessions, spiritual gifts, and the gospel message itself.

· Accountability: Stewards must give an account of their management. As seen in the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30), there is an expectation of growth and productivity in stewardship.

· Faithfulness: A steward's primary duty is to be faithful. This involves loyalty to the master and adherence to his instructions, as emphasized in 1 Corinthians 4:2.

· Service: Stewardship is inherently linked to service. As stewards of God's grace, believers are called to serve one another, reflecting the servant leadership of Christ.

The biblical concept of stewardship extends beyond mere management of resources; it encompasses a holistic approach to life, where every aspect is viewed as an opportunity to honor God and serve others.Genesis 15:2
And Abram said, LORD God, what will you give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus?
Nave's Topical Index

Genesis 43:19
And they came near to the steward of Joseph's house, and they communed with him at the door of the house,
Nave's Topical Index

1 Chronicles 28:1
And David assembled all the princes of Israel, the princes of the tribes, and the captains of the companies that ministered to the king by course, and the captains over the thousands, and captains over the hundreds, and the stewards over all the substance and possession of the king, and of his sons, with the officers, and with the mighty men, and with all the valiant men, to Jerusalem.
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Luke 8:3
And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered to him of their substance.
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The General Conference of 1820
... so that the editor and general book steward for the time ... the community with the sacred
Scriptures, the society recommended to the General Conference to ...
/.../chapter 5 the general conference.htm

Concerning the Ministry.
... Spirit, as in the proposition concerning the Scriptures is shown ... do firmly conclude,
that not only in a general apostacy it ... can a man be a good steward of that ...
/.../proposition x concerning the ministry.htm

Concerning Lowliness of Mind.
... with all wisdom to correct those who use the Scriptures without reference ... Luke
16:8, of the dishonest steward. ... Gibbon, using this is the general sense, has the ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/concerning lowliness of mind.htm

On the Clause, and Shall Come in Glory to Judge the Quick and the ...
... Be a good steward thereof. ... I have many more testimonies out of the divine Scriptures,
concerning the kingdom ... of his time as the apostasy in general, but looks ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture xv on the clause.htm

The Evening of the Third Day in Passion-Week - on the Mount of ...
... prove by references to the prophetic Scriptures, that every ... purposes, with such dim
and general indication of the ... The faithful steward, to whom the Master had ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter vi the evening of.htm

The General Conference of 1836
... and tracts shall be furnished to the book steward of the ... so clearly laid down in
the sacred Scriptures, and so accurately defined in our general rules, as ...
/.../chapter 13 the general conference.htm

The Figurative Language of Scripture.
... and the general tenor of the Scriptures teach us ... the interpretation must be upon
the same general principle. ... you," in allusion to the steward's language: "they ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxv the figurative language.htm

The Extent and Reasonableness of Self-Denial
... But I pass on to the second general thing proposed ... watchfulness of the faithful and
wise steward, his disciples ... greatly err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/the extent and reasonableness of.htm

A Letter from Origen to Africanus.
... just as they will cut asunder the wicked steward of that ... This is true not only in
the general, but also ... difficulty; that is, that in our Scriptures there are ...
//christianbookshelf.org/origen/origens letters/a letter from origen to.htm

part ii.
... THE FAITHFUL STEWARD. ... 4th. The Scriptures favor the idea of frequency in giving. ... him."
This suggestion of the Apostle may probably be adopted a general rule by ...
//christianbookshelf.org/clark/the faithful steward/part ii.htm

What is the meaning of the Parable of the Unjust Steward (Luke 16:1-13)? | GotQuestions.org

What did Jesus mean when He spoke of making friends by worldly wealth (Luke 16:9)? | GotQuestions.org

What is the meaning of the Parable of the Talents? | GotQuestions.org

Steward: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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