Christian Stewards: Luke 12:42-43

Stewardship is a broad topic and a difficult one to master because of the depth of commitment it requires of the saint. Literally, the word means “one over.” Typically, stewards dispensed of daily affairs, managed estates, protected household stores, and executed orders of the master. But stewards are not owners Luke 19:3.

Stewardship involves measurability. Stewardship is measured by our capacity for service. According to B.W. Johnson, the trust of the Lord is measured according to the ability of each servant, which includes mental, financial, influential, and social abilities 1 Peter 4:11. God’s blessings are given in proportion to our abilities. In Luke 12:42, Christ asks, “Who is a faithful and wise steward?” Luke 12:48 stresses our measurability. Different servants are entrusted with different tasks according to their abilities. Not all are expected to produce the same results, but all are expected to produce results which glorify God.

Stewardship involves responsibility. Stewardship requires one to be dependable and faithful, 1 Corinthians 4:1-2. Stewardship stresses responsibility: good stewards are responsible stewards. One of the key functions of stewards is “to manage.” We are stewards/managers “of our lives Romans 12:1, of our bodies 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, and God blessings such as children.

Stewardship involves accountability. From the earliest passages in scripture, God emphasized accountability Deuteronomy 24:16 and Job 19:4. Romans 14:12; Stewardship also conveys the idea of guardianship, so God’s stewards must also protect and defend his blessings as found in Luke 16 the parable of the unjust/unrighteous steward. God’s children are accountable for unrighteous words Matthew 12:36.

May we strive to please God in all facets of our lives. To fully do so, you must: hear the word, believe the word, repent of your past life, confess the name of Jesus before men, and be baptized to join with Jesus. There is no other way to become a steward of God.