A Steward is a person who manages household matters (2 Kings 11: 18; Esther 3: 9; Ezekiel 44: 14; Luke 8:3). A steward is not a member of the house but is an appointed individual. In olden times slaves and slaves who attained freedom were designated for this job. Abraham’s steward was Eliezer of Damascus (Gen. 15: 2). Genesis also mentions about Joseph’s steward (Gen. 43: 19; 44: 1,4). David appointed officials over his and his son’s property and livestock (1 Chronicles 28: 1). Arza was the steward of Tirzah household (1 Kings 16: 9). Herod’s steward was Cuza (Luke 8: 3). Three things are made clear through the parable that Jesus said in Luke 16.
- A steward should be trustworthy
- A steward is liable to give the accounts. An account of his management will be asked at any time.
- The minute dishonesty is observed in the management of accounts, he will be removed from his position as steward (Luke 16: 1- 4)
A Christian is appointed as a steward in Christ’s home. A person’s obligation to God in regard to his stewardship is stressed by Paul 3 times (1 Cor. 4: 1,2; Titus 1:7). A steward’s important quality is trustworthiness. Peter advises in 1 Peter 4: 10 to serve one another according to the grace of God that is received.
Christian spirituality is a ‘Spirituality of Giving’. Real love fans into flames in not gaining but in giving. Jesus said thus about the purpose of His coming, “… Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” ( Matt. 20: 28). Paul says in Acts 20: 35 that Jesus taught thus, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’. Jesus came to give himself as a ransom. That is he was given for us. Give without expecting anything in return (Matt. 5: 42; Luke 6: 30- 35) is what Jesus taught. Jesus again taught that if anything is given to someone do not do it to be honored by other men (Matt. 6: 1-4). “ “Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward in heaven. “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret will reward you.” (Matt 6: 1-4).
1. Give Joyfully without considering the Loss (2 Cor. 8: 1- 15)
A man helps another man in different ways. A leader gives to his followers, father to his children, mother to her children, master to his slave, older brother to his younger brother. But all of this does not include in the giving that Christ intended. The giving that Christ intended is the one that a slave gives to his master. In it the slave does not expect any appreciation. To give as a slave- a worker, a subordinate. Even though the Macedonian Church was poor, they gave according to and beyond their ability for the needs of the apostles. Paul appreciates that (2 Cor. 8,9). Paul teaches in 2 Cor. 9: 7 that God loves a cheerful giver.
2. Give to the Brother (Genesis 13: 8 -18)
Christian giving exhorts a giving of one’s self (Luke 17: 5-10, Philippians 2: 7; Matt. 20: 28). A Spirituality that exhorts to give to the needy, to God’s work, to a needy brother or sister. What is meant here is not just helping financially or in worldly aspects but to give a space in one’s heart. Our minds are filled with many thoughts. This is what is said in Jesus’ parable of a Sower. A good ground is a heart with a space. Only there will there be a yield of thirty, sixty and hundredfold. A heart that is filled with many things will not have a space to give others. Stewardship should be evident in one’s daily life, relationships and fulfillment of one’s duties. In family relationships this should be manifested despite one’s age. When Abraham and Lot separated, Lot chose the good land. But Abraham’s stand was this, “If you go to the left, I’ll go to the right; if you go to the right, I’ll go to the left”. The Scriptures says that after Lot parted with Abraham, God blessed Abraham (Genesis 13: 14). All the land that Abraham saw was given to him and his descendants.
3. Praiseworthy Giving (Mark 14: 3- 11)
Everything that is done for Christ will be honored. Even though you are criticized in front of people it will be later praised as something done for God. In the house of Simeon , a woman broke an alabaster jar of expensive perfume made of pure nard and poured it on Jesus’ head. Jesus praises this act. “She has done a beautiful thing to me” (Mark 14: 6). This praise is an evidence that man’s participation is required in God’s work. This exemplifies that giving should be done without considering the cost.