The Christian is a Steward
A steward is one who is charged with the responsibility to supervise or keep an organization or a possession. A steward does not own that which is placed under their supervision rather, they are entrusted with this duty by the rightful owner. In Matthew 20:8, the steward of a vineyard had the responsibility to gather and pay the workers their daily wage, others oversaw households. Regardless of assigned responsibility the primary qualification of a steward is trustworthiness. And the Lord said, “Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season? “Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. “Truly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all that he has. (Luke 12:42-44 NKJV) Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful. (1 Corinthians 4:2 NKJV)
Stewardship is also a role in the spiritual realm. Peter speaks of those possessing spiritual gifts as stewards. As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 4:10-11 NKJV) Paul was a steward of the gospel which he describes as the mysteries of God. Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. (1 Corinthians 4:1 NKJV)
The eldership is also a stewardship. The role is equated to that of a shepherd with responsibilities to feed and protect. For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict. (Titus 1:7-9 NKJV) Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; (1 Peter 5:2 NKJV) Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. (Acts 20:28 NKJV)
Unfaithful stewards faced serious consequences. Jesus told his disciples about a wasteful steward who was removed from his responsibilities. “There was a certain rich man who had a steward, and an accusation was brought to him that this man was wasting his goods. “So he called him and said to him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward.’” (Luke 16:1-2 NKJV) Another parable describes wicked stewards trusted with a vineyard. They killed the servants and ultimately the master’s son attempting to steal the vineyard. “Then last of all he sent his son to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ “But when the vinedressers saw the son, they said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and seize his inheritance.’ “So they took him and cast him out of the vineyard and killed him. “Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those vinedressers?” They said to Him, “He will destroy those wicked men miserably, and lease his vineyard to other vinedressers who will render to him the fruits in their seasons.” (Matthew 21:37-41 NKJV)
A faithful steward has no fear of judgment. The apostle Paul said of his stewardship, “For I know nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 4:4 NKJV) Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand. (Romans 14:4 NKJV)
Be faithful. Stand. Do not fear.