Written by: Brenton Cammack
Stewardship has always been fundamentally ingrained within the human experience. The sturdy walls of a home or the vast array of parts within a vehicle require an astute amount of diligent care, because the sturdiest foundations falter to the wear and tear of time. The sustainability of a business hinges not only on its long-term vision but on the ongoing commitment to evolve. Neglecting the regular maintenance of a vehicle can produce disastrous results. Likewise, complacency in relationships can unravel a friendship and/or marriage. These timeless truths highlight the need to understand our human responsibility of stewardship.
Simply searching the word “stewardship” in Google will show you the vast ways people have formulated principles around stewardship and its practice. The Oxford dictionary defines stewardship as “the act of taking care of or managing something”. A broad array of perspectives, applications, and approaches flow from this definition. From environmental stewardship, to financial stewardship, to stewarding our spiritual gifts, stewardship as a concept permeates various aspects of human life. Stewardship encapsulates a holistic approach to nurturing and preserving the resources, both tangible and intangible, entrusted to our care.
Theology of Stewardship
For the follower of Jesus, the theology of stewardship finds its roots in the Biblical account of creation. In Genesis 2, it reads:
“7 then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature. 8 And the Lord God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and there he put the man whom he had formed. 9 And out of the ground the Lord God made to spring up every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil…15The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.”
Let’s focus on Genesis 2:15. The term “tend” originates from the Hebrew word ʻâbad, meaning “to work in any capacity, to honor.” Similarly, the term “watch over” comes from the Hebrew word shâmar, indicating preserving, observing, or saving. From this linguistic analysis, it’s evident that Adam’s role was of great significance. God entrusted him with the care of a magnificent, fruitful garden. Biblical stewardship entails caring for something not inherently ours but for which we are accountable.
This biblical framework of stewarding the way God intended informs us that the original intent for man was to holistically steward the tangible and intangible things God entrusted to our care. One of the historical accounts in the Bible points to Joseph who lived out the blueprint of biblical stewardship. Recounted in Genesis 39-41, Joseph was sold by his brothers to a group of Ishmaelites who proceeded to sell him to Potipher, an officer of Pharaoh in Egypt. Despite being a slave, the reader observes Joseph tending, preserving, and working in multiple capacities over the things in which he has been entrusted. Joseph’s faithfulness in his stewardship resulted in Potipher entrusting everything he had to Joseph.
Further in the account of Joseph, Potiphar’s wife attempts to seduce Joseph, but he refuses out of loyalty to Potiphar and fear of sinning against God. She falsely accuses him of assaulting her, leading Potiphar to throw Joseph into prison. Even in prison, Joseph saw to the needs of the other prisoners. Following his release from prison, Pharaoh calls for Joseph, who explains that Pharaoh’s dreams foretell seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine. Impressed, Pharaoh appointed Joseph as second in command over Egypt. Joseph prepares for the famine by storing food during the years of plenty. When the famine hits, people from all over come to Egypt for grain, and Joseph oversees its distribution.
From the original design provided to Adam to the account of Joseph, the implication of biblical stewardship is that we are to be faithful in tending and watching over the things entrusted to us. This is coupled with the knowledge that everything in our care belongs to God, meaning that biblical stewardship is honoring God and a result of God being with those who are faithful to Him.
Does this Apply to Everything?
While stewardship is undoubtedly a biblical way to be faithful and practically important for how we live our lives, is it crucial to steward every aspect of our lives? Is there a standard or some level of meticulous attention we need to apply to everything? As previously covered, the essence of biblical stewardship lies in a holistic approach to tending and watching over the things we have been entrusted, whether tangible or intangible. However, this principle has the potential to be misinterpreted as a mandate to scrutinize every minutiae of our existence.
When taken out of context or “too far”, it’s easy to fall into the trap of overburdening ourselves with unnecessary tasks and anxieties. Constantly micromanaging every aspect of our lives can lead to burnout and diminish our overall well-being. Moreover, it can detract from the biblical principle to tend to and watch over. We can honor God by recognizing that not every little thing requires our unwavering attention. Rather than striving for perfection in our stewardship, fostering our relationship with God enables a healthy mindset to practically take care of things well.
Final Thought
Stewardship, whether in the context of home maintenance, business sustainability, or relational upkeep, underscores the vital importance of diligent care and responsibility. It involves not just managing resources but nurturing and preserving them for the benefit of others and future generations. From environmental to financial realms, stewardship encompasses a holistic approach to managing entrusted resources.
Ultimately, stewardship is not merely a practical duty but a spiritual calling, reflecting our relationship with God and our responsibility to honor and preserve the resources bestowed upon us. It is a timeless principle that resonates across cultures and contexts, reminding us of our need to trust the blueprint from creation and ultimately steward things well.