Faithful Stewards
Submitted by Frank Williams
May 8, 2025
1Co 4:1-3 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. 3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self.
The word steward comes from the Old English stigweard—the person responsible for household affairs. It speaks of one who is responsible to another to care for their belongings.
God calls us to be faithful servants. Matthew Henry said, “Faithfulness in a servant lies in the ready, punctual, and thorough execution of his master’s orders; keeping his secrets and counsels, dispatching his affairs, and managing with frugality, and to as much just advantage for his master as he is able; looking well to his trusts, and preventing, as far as he can, all spoil, or loss, or damage.”
The belongings and possessions that consume the lives of so many people in our world today are never really ours in the first place. Everything belongs to God by His right as Creator. David wrote, “The earth is the LORD’S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. (Psalm 24:1) Since all “our” things belong to God, we should regard their use as primarily for His purposes rather than for our own.
Though God certainly provides many blessings for His children—including material blessings, and He means for us to enjoy them—He does not intend for us to regard them as our own.
This is where the principle of stewardship comes in. When we use our resources wisely and well we glorify God and receive His approval for being faithful.
Consider – A good reputation is something you must pay for but can never buy.
