Stewardship

by F.L. Evans, Yeovil | Category: Christian Standards | Jul 1973

What is a steward? the normal dictionary definition is: "one who manages the domestic concerns of a family or institution, or one who superintends another's affairs, e.g. estate, farm, or department". Stewardship, therefore is administration or management, the latter word being more frequently used today, with a modern business connotation. In all such stewardships there are three basic requirements: confidence, responsibility and accountability. The person appointing a steward has sufficient confidence in him to entrust certain specific duties to him. The steward must accept the responsibility for the efficient discharge of these duties. Consequently, he must also accept that at a certain stage he will be expected to give a personal account of his administration.

The steward in Scripture conforms to this pattern. Joseph had a steward of his house in Egypt, and Joseph's brothers obviously treated him with due respect, even calling him "lord" (Gen. 43:20). The Lord Jesus speaks of the lord setting the faithful and wise steward over his household (Luke 12:42). He also talks of the rich man who had a steward accused of wasting his goods and was called to "render the account" of his stewardship (Luke 16:1,2). Such administration frequently involved authority over servants and generally managing the affairs and accounts. "A steward, having unrestricted access to his master's possessions, must needs be honest, and must have personal loyalty to his master. The one whose judgment the steward really values (or fears) is that of his master" (The New Bible Commentary).

An essential characteristic of stewardship is faithfulness. "It is required -in stewards, that a man be found faithful" (1 Cor. 4:2). Unfortunately, the impression is often given that this involves only "stickability" - just plodding on. But this is far from the case. To be faithful involves being worthy of the confidence reposed, to be trustworthy and reliable. An element of success is expected; unprofitableness is definitely a weakness.

The stewardship of the Gospel

As a minister of Christ, Paul the apostle looked upon himself and his colleagues as "stewards of the mysteries of God" (1 Cor. 4:1), and when speaking of proclaiming the gospel he said, "I have a stewardship intrusted to me" (1 Cor. 9:17). He had the preaching of the revelation of Jesus Christ entrusted to him, and he discharged this in a responsible manner, knowing full well that he would need to give account.

Peter also exhorts, "According as each hath received a gift, ministering it among yourselves, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God" (1 Pet. 4:10). "Whatever gift, whatever power... is given us, we should minister with the same one to another. In receiving and using the manifold gifts of God we must look upon ourselves as stewards only" (Matthew Henry). The Spirit's gift of grace is bestowed as a stewardship for the benefit of others. It is entrusted to the recipient, who is personally responsible for its use, and who will be called to give account to the Lord Christ at the judgement seat of Christ.

The Overseer's Stewardship

The overseer is called "God's steward" (Titus 1:7). "They watch in behalf of your souls, as they that shall give account" (Heb. 13:17). In a practical way the attitude of disciples to their own leaders will decide how the account will be given, either with joy or with grief (groaning). Overseers have a solemn responsibility to discharge and a future account to render. For this reason, their leadership is worthy of respect. No disciple would desire to make their accountability in that day of reckoning painful or distressing. A happy and rewarding experience would be more profitable to all concerned.

The Stewardship of Money

The Christian belongs to God. We are not our own; we have been bought with a price. Our money and possessions are not "inalienably ours". We, as trustees, hold them for God, to use them for Him. We should endeavour to use our Master's goods with wisdom and faithfulness, without waste, self-indulgence or extravagance.

The correct beginning of the discharge of our stewardship money-wise is the setting aside for God first of a definite proportion of our income. The following principles have been frequently and clearly stated, and if we are truly desirous of maintaining early Christian standards, they bear repetition: Giving should be

(1)regular: "upon the first day of the week" (1 Cor. 16:2)

(2)individual: "each one of you" (v.2)

(3)proportionate: "as he may prosper" (v.2)

(4)systematic: "lay by him in store" (v.2)

(5)heart-purposed: "according as he hath purposed in his heart" (2 Cor. 9:7)

(6)cheerful: "God loveth a cheerful giver" (v.7)

(7)thankful: "liberality - worketh - thanksgiving" (v.11)

(8)free: "freely ye received, freely give" (Matt. 10:8)

Over and above our "first setting aside", we are at liberty to give or use our money as the Lord leads. These days are conspicuous in Westernized societies for pressurized salesmanship, constant urging to spend. It is very easy to spend money, and even to feel we need the goods so efficiently advertised. Should we not give some thought to endeavouring to shun some of the recognized status symbols of present-day affluence, keeping up with or even surpassing our neighbours and friends? This is particularly so in the light of the starving, disease-ridden and destitute millions and millions in the under-developed countries of the world. The wise man said,

"He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD, and his good deed will He pay him again" (Prov. 19:17).

The wisest Man of all said,

"Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure,

pressed down, shaken together, running over" (Luke 6:38).

The Stewardship of Time

One of the great difficulties of the present age is to find time for all the things we would like to do. Time for prayer, for Bible study, for attending assembly meetings, for work among children, for distributing leaflets, for visiting the sick, for helping the disabled and deprived and less fortunate than ourselves, for listening to the neighbour whose heart is breaking under the weight of personal sorrow, for helping the lonely and aged. It is time that we as disciples of the Lord examined carefully our priorities. "If you are doing too much to find time to pray, you are doing too much", was the sage comment of experience.

There are two scriptures in Paul's epistles where we are exhorted to the wise use of time.

"Look therefore carefully how ye walk, not as unwise, but as wise; redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not foolish" (Eph. 5:15-17).

"Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be always with grace" (Col. 4:5,6).

In both cases, the disciples were urged to buy up the opportunity, to make the most of their time - it was wise thing to do, both with regard to the Christian walk and "to them that are without". The call comes with special significance today, when distractions and side-issues are notoriously dangerous.

F.L. Evans, Yeovil | Jul 1973
Christian Standards