What is Stewardship?
Some people talk about their possessions as if they own them. Nobody owns anything; everything belongs to God. He puts earthly things in our hands to manage or to be stewards over. God also expects us to manage those things well.
This is what stewardship means- Source [the internet]
· The responsible management and use of the gifts and resources that God has given us.
· Utilizing and managing all resources for the glory of God and the betterment of His creation.
· Recognizing God’s ownership of everything and using what He has given us to serve Him and others.
· A commitment to use all that God has entrusted to us in ways that honor and glorify Him.
· Taking responsibility for our resources, relationships, and finances to do the most good for God’s kingdom.
In biblical terms, Charles Bugg defines stewardship in the Holman Bible Dictionary as "Utilizing and managing all resources God provides for the glory of God and the betterment of His creation." Christian Stewardship regards the obligation of Christians in managing and utilizing intelligently the gifts that God has given. The Christian steward is not only responsible for the financial blessings provided by God but also the spiritual gifts that are given through the Holy Spirit. God wants human beings to be His stewards in the work of creation, redemption, and sanctification.
I will add this. We are to be good stewards of all the gifts (Romans 12:6-8); (Ephesians 4:11); (1 Corinthians 12:8-11).
Bible Verses about Stewardship
1 Peter 4:10 - As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace:
Genesis 1:28 - And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
Adam and Eve had responsibilities, and Adam (king of the earth) had rulership.
Genesis 2:15 - The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.
2 Corinthians 9:6-7 - The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
Colossians 3:23 - Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.
For those who profess to be born-again and are gambling, playing the lottery, not tithing, and so on, remember this, everything belongs to God. The earth is the LORD’s, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein (Psalm 24:1). For every beast of the forest is Mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills (Psalm 50:10).
If you have been abusing (not being a good steward), ask God to forgive you and use what He gave you to manage for His glory. Please take heed, because this is coming up when you stand before Christ - you got to stand for yourself (2 Corinthians 5:10).
Betty A. Burnett ~ burnettministries.org
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