Steward

1 Corinthians 4:1–2 NKJV

1 Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.

Steward-

*One who oversees what belongs to another.

*Carries authority to manage what has been entrusted.

*Is responsible: he or she will give an account to the owner.

Piss-TOS

Faithful-31.87 πιστόςb, ή, όν: (derivative of πιστεύωb ‘to trust,’ 31.85) pertaining to being trusted—‘faithful, trustworthy, dependable, reliable.’

Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., Vol. 1, p. 376). New York: United Bible Societies.

Matthew 25:14–15 NKJV

14 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. 15 And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey.

25:14 This is a picture of what Jesus has done. Though he has gone away, he will return. In the meantime, he has given us his possessions to steward. Importantly, a steward is not an owner but one who manages the owner’s possessions. The Bible makes clear that God owns “everything” (Pss 24:1; 50:10–12), and he expects us to protect and expand his possessions for the advancement of his kingdom in history.

If you’re a Christian, God has given you three things to steward. First, until Jesus returns, you have time, the day-to-day context in which kingdom opportunities arise. Second, every believer has talents (abilities or skills) that are gifts from God to develop and use for his kingdom purposes. Third, you have treasures (financial resources). Your money isn’t merely for your enjoyment but for kingdom advancement.

Psalm 24:1 NKJV

1 The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein.

Stewardship is not Micro-Managed

Matthew 25:15 NKJV

15 And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey.

Seventy-five pounds of silver = One talant

They were not given the same amount.

Matthew 25:16–18 NKJV

16 Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. 17 And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. 18 But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money.

Matthew 25:19 NKJV

19 After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.

Matthew 25:20–21 NKJV

20 “So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ 21 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’

Matthew 25:22–23 NKJV

22 He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ 23 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’

Matthew 25:24–25 NKJV

24 “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’

Hebrews 12:7 NKJV

7 If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?

Matthew 25:26 NKJV

26 “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed.

2 Corinthians 12:9–10 NKJV

9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Romans 5:2 NKJV

2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Hebrews 4:2–3 NKJV

2 For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. 3 For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said: “So I swore in My wrath, ‘They shall not enter My rest,’ ” although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.

Psalm 27:1 NKJV

1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?

2 Timothy 2:1 NKJV

1 You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

1 Corinthians 1:26–29 NKJV

26 For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. 27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, 29 that no flesh should glory in His presence.

Matthew 25:29 NKJV

29 ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away.

Galatians 2:10 NKJV

10 They desired only that we should remember the poor, the very thing which I also was eager to do.