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Jesus spent much of his ministry teaching about how we ought to live. If we take time to study and understand his teachings on stewardship in the Bible, it will change how we manage our time, money, possessions, and relationships. Many Christians today simply associate stewardship with tithing or making donations, but biblical stewardship goes much deeper than that.
Let’s take a look at some scriptures on stewardship and uncover principles that can impact how we live our lives.
Stewardship is defined as, “The careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one's care.” In other words, stewardship is managing and caring for things that belong to someone else. The person tasked with this management responsibility is called a “steward,” but they can also be referred to as a manager, agent, or overseer.
Biblical stewardship, also known as “Christian stewardship,” is the practice of selflessly managing everything we have—our talents, time, money, relationships, health, etc.—for God’s glory. It’s been practiced for thousands of years, and its origins are captured in the many Bible verses about stewardship of money, time, and possessions.
Below are ten principles of stewardship in the Bible, including:
Check out each of these eternal principles and the practical lessons they can teach us today.
The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it—the world, and all who live in it. Psalm 24:1
The heavens are yours, and yours also the earth; you founded the world and all that is in it. Psalm 89:11
Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand. 1 Chronicles 29:14
Everything belongs to the Lord. These are foundational verses about stewardship. According to King David, everything belongs to the Lord. This is also backed up by God’s statement in Job 41:11b, “Everything under heaven belongs to me.”
In recognizing the principle of ownership, Christians understand that everything belongs to God. This realization impacts our daily lives by fostering humility and gratitude. As stewards, we must manage resources with the understanding that we are caretakers, not owners. It should push us to align our decisions and actions with God's ownership, creating a lifestyle marked by generosity and responsible management.
When we understand that our lives belong to God, and that we are simply managers working on his behalf, we can begin to understand that there is a greater meaning to living than just living for our own gratification.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6
As believers, we are called to approach stewardship with a humble heart, recognizing our dependence on God. Humility extends to relationships with others. Philippians 2:3 (NIV) instructs, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves." The principle of humility challenges us to prioritize the needs of others, promoting unity and cooperation in both our personal and community lives.
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15
Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth. Proverbs 4:10
These scriptures on stewardship is much more personal. Stewards recognize that diligence is a means of honoring God and contributing to the well-being of others. How we manage our talents and spiritual gifts reflects our values. We can use them for selfish purposes or to help our neighbors.
Diligence is also reflected in spiritual pursuits. For example, if you have a talent for finances, you could help others learn how to be good stewards of money. Consider holding financial classes at your church to help people learn to manage debt or plan their retirement. These practical steps will allow you to serve and help improve the lives of others.
God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it." Genesis 1:28a
That which is healthy normally grows and reproduces. Part of Christian stewardship is our directive to gratefully use the gifts the Lord has given us to increase and multiply those gifts for God’s glory.
A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:7-9
How much growth we see is often based on how much we are willing to give of our time, spiritual gifts, and other resources. For example, if a Christian stops investing in their church community, they will often begin to feel disengaged and withdrawn. Or, contrarily, if a couple decides to intentionally put time and effort into their marriage, their relationship will have a much better chance of growing.
The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty. Proverbs 21:5
Strategic planning is a key aspect of responsible stewardship. If we follow God's instructions, we can develop wisdom that provides us with thoughtful foresight and strategic thinking in stewardship. It's important for us to set goals, make informed decisions, and consider the long-term consequences of our actions.
For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11
Planning also extends to spiritual growth. God blesses us when we align our lives with God's overarching plan, seeking His guidance and trusting in His providence for each of our individual journeys.
"For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them." Matthew 25:29
We will be held accountable for our stewardship. In Matthew 25, Jesus tells the parable of the bags of gold. A wealthy man entrusted gold to his servants when he left home to travel. Upon his return, the master calls his servants to give account for what they did with his gold.
Two of the servants doubled the gold they had received by making wise investments. The master commended them:
"Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!" Matthew 25:23
One of the servants, however, was afraid of losing what he had been given, so he hid his gold instead of investing it. His master condemned him for not being a good steward:
"Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Matthew 25:27-30
Each of the servants was held accountable for how well they used what they had been given. Jesus told a similar parable in Luke 19:11-27, which shares the same message—we will be called to account for how we used the gifts God has given us.
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23-24
Once we study stewardship in the Bible and learn to use what we have for God’s glory, God promises us an inheritance as a reward.
"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Matthew 6:33
And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19
Selfishness leads to emptiness and more greed, but when we live a selfless life in service to God and others, God promises to meet all of our needs. In John 10:10, Jesus also promises to give us a life of abundance.
The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. Genesis 2:15
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1
Before the creation, there was nothing. Then God created everything. So all that we see, touch, and feel—as well as things beyond our natural senses—are his.
God has entrusted us to oversee and manage his creation. Taking care of our planet, the environment, and the animals were the first tasks God used to teach responsible stewardship.
For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Colossians 1:16-17
Understanding that God created our world is foundational to understanding biblical stewardship because it provides meaning behind everything around us. Because all of creation belongs to the Creator, only God decides who will oversee what he has made. There was a purpose behind God’s creation of the world, and part of his plan involves us being faithful to manage what we have been given.
This principle underscores the responsibility of Christians to care for God's creation. It impacts daily life by promoting environmentally conscious decisions, recognizing that caring for the Earth is an integral part of honoring God.
Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. Mark 8:34
The Bible is full of stories, illustrations, and parables regarding giving up something valuable for a higher purpose. Jesus exemplified this with his ultimate sacrifice on the cross. He demonstrated how we are called to prioritize God's kingdom over our own personal desires and comfort.
Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her. Ephesians 5:25
Sacrifice also extends to our personal relationships. The Bible clearly teaches that we must sacrificially love and serve others, recognizing that true stewardship involves selflessness and a willingness to invest time, energy, and resources for the benefit of others.
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:6-7
At the end of the day, stewardship is a heart issue that asks us to share what we God has given us—our resources such as time, energy, money, and love—with others. When we accept to be stewards, we should develop a lifestyle of open-handedness, compassion, and a reflection of God's generosity towards us.
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10
Stewardship is also more than focusing on physical possessions. It extends to being generous with our time and talents as well. Each of us should identify our unique talents to bless others, and our gifts to help build a flourishing community around us.
One of the best ways your church can help your congregation understand stewardship is by providing an excellent example of financial responsibility. Other ways your church can be an example of responsible stewardship include:
All of this will encourage your congregation to be faithful stewards of God’s gifts and to share from the abundance that they have been given. And if you want to learn how to keep more of your donations and encourage giving in your church, download your copy of our free ebook, Top 11 Ways to Fuel Your Mission with Subsplash Giving!
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