Stewardship and Ownership
Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on earth. – Genesis 1:26
The subject of stewardship causes confusion and consternation among Christians. The issue of money is really only a very small part of stewardship. When rightly understood, stewardship can bring Christians true joy and transform the way we live.
The word stewardship refers to an administration or an economy, a way of operating. We can also call it management.
The proper definition of stewardship is given by its author, God Himself. The Bible begins with God creating, talking, and doing. He made the earth and mankind, and therefore He is the owner of all things. God created and then gave responsibility to humanity to manage His creation. We don’t own anything on earth; it’s all God’s property. The Bible is very clear about this. In Exodus 19:5, God says, “All the earth is Mine.” In Psalm 89:11, the psalmist said to God, “The world and all it contains, You have founded them.”
We own nothing, and when we leave the earth, we won’t take anything with us. God is absolute owner because He is absolute sovereign and King of the universe. Yet God has entrusted each one of us with our sphere of influence and stewardship on earth. He is watching to see how we will manage what He has given to us.
Be a good steward of your time, treasures and talents because your Father in heaven rewards what you do.
Check out more from Tony Evans @ Tonyevans.org