The Chic Creative

Session I – Understanding Stewardship 

Before beginning to apply the spiritual principle of Stewardship we must first understand what Stewardship is.

Stewardship began in the Garden of Eden.  God placed Adam in the Garden and commanded him to “work it and take care of it.”  (Gen 2:15). 

The Garden did not belong to man.  Both the Garden and man belonged to God.  

Nothing we possess is actually ours but rather is entrusted to us with the same command given in Genesis and that is to “take care of it.”   The Luke Ch. 19 Parable reminds us we are stewards and not owners.  

The core essence of Stewardship as revealed in Genesis and throughout the Word is Paul’s reminder in 1 Cor 6:19 – 20 that we “are not our own, we were bought with a price.”  

Stewardship is an act of obedience and servitude birthed out of the Genesis command.  

We are instructed in Deut 26:10 to follow His laws, “carefully observe them with all your heart and with all your soul.”

From the obedience of Stewardship comes reward including long life (1 Ki 3:14) and blessings  (Isa 30:23), grace (2 Co 9:8) and abundance (Ph 4:19).  

Stewardship is an act of worship.  

After being brought into the land of milk and honey, we read in Deut. 26:10 – 11 Moses writes “And now I bring the first fruits of the soil that you O Lord have given me. Place the basket before the Lord your God and bow down (worship) before Him . . . you shall rejoice in all the good things the Lord your God has given to you and your household.” 

Stewardship starts with wisdom which James reminds us in his writings “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault and it will be given to him.” (1:5)

All throughout Proverbs we are exhorted to seek wisdom and in Chapter 3 we see the incredible benefits and blessings promised by obtaining wisdom which God promises to generously give TO ALL who ask.  

Stewardship is defined as “the job of supervising or taking care of something.”  

The homes we live in, our cars, bodies, children, people in our circle, talents and gifts, money, job, personal or spiritual growth, mind, thoughts and even words do not belong to us.  

We are the overseers placed in charge to care for that which has been given to us until His return.  

We cannot ask God for bigger, better, faster, fancier, newer, nicer, kinder, thinner or more if He sees we cannot even care for what He has already entrusted to us.

Stewardship is the path for promotion.  As the parable of Luke 19 reveals, “I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given…” (19:26).  

Yes, from Genesis until today, the critical key to a successful life begins and ends in understanding Stewardship.  

Sandra Hubbard