Biblical stewardship involves delegated responsibility to manage for another (e.g., Luke 16:1, 12). Stewardship in the OT specifically indicates management of someone's household (Isaiah 22:15), i.e., through a "house steward" (Genesis 43:19; 44:4). In NT usage stewardship may involve (1) oversight of employees through a "foreman" (Matthew 20:8; cf. Luke 12:42); (2) care for another person, especially as a guardian over a child (Galatians 4:2); (3) management of a superior's possessions (Luke 12:42-44; 16:1-8); or (4) Christian responsibility to faithfully fulfill one's God-given ministry, particularly in proclaiming the gospel of Christ (1 Corinthians 9:17; Ephesians 3:2; Colossians 1:25; cf. Colossians 4:17). The broader doctrine of stewardship indicates Christian responsibility to faithfully use personal gifts (natural and spiritual), time, and possessions as divine entrustments to serve God and man. Christian stewardship properly recognizes that all human abilities and possessions, including the earth and its contents, are on consignment to man from God (1 Chronicles 29:12; John 3:27; James 1:17; cf. Genesis 1:26-28; Psalms 8:3-8). Thus the use of such divine endowments should (1) accord with individual ability (Matthew 25:15); (2) express richness toward God (cf. Luke 12:21); (3) involve an efficient use of time and opportunity (Ephesians 5:16; Colossians 4:5); (4) accord with personal prosperity (1 Corinthians 16:2); (5) result from individual intent of heart (2 Corinthians 9:7); and (6) express glory and faith toward God (1 Corinthians 10:31; 1 Timothy 6:17).

This topic is from the Lockman Foundation.