A person who oversees the possessions or interests of an owner or master. Stewardship might involve responsibility for a private household (Gen 44:1; Luke 12:42; Gal 4:2), a specific task (1Chr 29:6), a palace (Esth 1:8; 1Kgs 18:3; Isa 36:3; Luke 8:3), business affairs (Matt 20:8; Luke 16:1-8), or a city treasury (Rom 16:23). Also, in the NT, the word is used in a metaphorical sense for having responsibility for divine mysteries, such as the gospel (1Cor 4:1), some divine commission (1Cor 9:17), or a divine gift (1Pet 4:10). Bishops or elders are called stewards (Titus 1:5-9) and are expected to possess holy qualities as they manage the household of God. The apostle Paul also saw himself as a steward (1Cor 4:1-2) who would have to give an account of his stewardship (1Cor 4:3-4; 2Tim 4:7-8) as the Apostle to the Gentiles (Eph 3:2; Gal 2:7-8; Rom 1:5-6; Rom 13-15:5). There is also a sense in which every Christian is a steward entrusted with a divine gift (1Pet 4:10). Faithful and wise stewardship of this gift or “talent” will result in blessing and reward, but unfaithfulness will result in judgment (Luke 12:42-43; Matt 25:14-30).
