Stewardship Essay Discussion Paper

Stewardship Essay Discussion Paper

What is a steward?

The term steward is commonly used in the church and in most cases, those who use it always emphasize Christians to be “good stewards”. The term however is rarely used in most English translations and instead other synonyms have been used. Most scriptures have used the term manager to mean a steward. With close resemblance to the managers in the current world, stewards in the bible were given some responsibilities to manage. A biblical steward is a person granted the responsibility to take care of something on behave of somebody else and acts as an intermediate but works in the best interest of the owner. A steward can be thought to be a servant who is free to make rational decisions about something related to the responsibilities bestowed on them which is unlike the case of slaves who are directed on what to do and are not free. Stewardship Essay Discussion Paper

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The meaning of the term steward has been expounded in 1 Peter 4:10-11 where emphasis has been focused on serving others for the interest of God. “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:  whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies” good stewards must work to ensure that God is glorified through Christ. Therefore, the biblical definition of the term steward is based on being responsible in manner that is meant to please God. In the book of Titus, a steward, has also been defined used the term manager and the scripture emphasizes on the qualities that a good manager should bear to be able to take care of Gods household. In Titus 1:7, some of the qualities of a good steward that have been highlighted include being blameless, not quick tempered, not to be a drunkard, not being dishonest as well as not being violent.

With what is a steward entrusted? Are Christians/Disciples stewards? If so, stewards of what?

As Christians, we have been entrusted with treasures of faith, the gospel, and authority to increase our spiritual growth. Stewards are entrusted with several things and among them is stewards over the people, stewards over the gospel, stewardship over spiritual gifts, stewards over your faith as well as stewardship over ones words. These elements that stewards are entrusted with are critical in building ones treasures for the kingdom of heaven. Stewardship Essay Discussion Paper

For instance, in Jude 1:20, the bible urges Christians to keep their faith strong and keep themselves holy and pray that they be filled with the holy spirit. “But you, beloved, keep building up yourselves on your most holy faith.” This verse clearly shows that God wants Christians to take care of our faith because it is part of what God has gifted us.

In addition, stewards are entrusted to be good stewards of their mouth. For example, in the book of Ephesians 4:29, the bible warns Christians not to give a corrupted speech from their mouth but instead, to talk what is constructive and one that can build and bless the audience. Christians should be good stewards of their mouth because it is part of what God has given us and we must take responsibility.  Stewards are also entrusted with spiritual gifts which they must be bound by. For instance, in the book of I Corinthians 14:12, the bible urges Christians, who have been filled with spiritual gifts to strictly bind to them. Stewardship Essay Discussion Paper

Stewards over the people has been outlined in the book of Hebrews 13:17 where Christians are urged to obey their leaders and submit onto them because the leaders have been entrusted to watch over them and give accountability of each and every one. The reason why Christians are urged to obey their leaders is to ensure that leaders have humble time managing their subjects. Lastly, stewards are entrusted to keep watch over the gospel by being stewards of Gods mysteries. Stewards over the gospel s enshrined in the book of I Corinthians 4:1-2 where the bible urges Christians to take themselves as Christ’s servants. Stewardship Essay Discussion Paper

Is this stewardship literal or metaphorical?

The bible has in most cases used metaphors when expressing certain ideas but in the case of stewards, there is the use of literal language to help Christians understand the aspects and dimensions of stewardship. For instance, while expressing stewardship over ones words, the bible articulated that let no corrupt speech proceed from ones mouth but their words be good in building. In this case, there are no hidden words to conceal anything, it is explicit that the stewardship required is that of ones deeds. Also, in terms of stewards over the people, the bible highlights that people should respect their leaders because the leaders have been given the responsibility of watch over them. Also, in this case, the terms stewardship has been used literally to mean those given with responsibility to take care of their subjects in a manner that pleases God Stewardship Essay Discussion Paper