Stewardship is an important concept in the Bible that refers to the responsibility of managing and caring for God’s creation and gifts. Here are some key Bible verses about stewardship:
Genesis 1:26-28
“Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’ So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. And God blessed them. And God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.'”
This passage shows that God appointed humanity as stewards over creation. We have a responsibility to care for the earth and its creatures.
Psalm 24:1
“The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein.”
This verse reminds us that everything ultimately belongs to God. As His stewards, we manage His possessions on His behalf.
Matthew 25:14-30
This parable of the talents illustrates that God has entrusted abilities and resources to each person. We are expected to use wisely what God has given us.
1 Corinthians 4:2
“Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.”
Stewards have an obligation to manage faithfully what the master has given them.
1 Peter 4:10
“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.”
God has given each Christian spiritual gifts to use in service to others.
Genesis 2:15
“The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.”
Even before the Fall, Adam was given responsibility to tend the garden and care for it.
Luke 12:42-48
In this parable, Jesus commends the faithful steward who manages the master’s possessions responsibly while he is away.
Proverbs 27:23-27
Be diligent to care for your livestock and lands. Don’t be slack in stewarding your possessions.
Leviticus 25:1-7
God commanded the Israelites to give the land a Sabbath rest every seventh year. Even the land needs stewardship.
Deuteronomy 8:7-18
Moses reminds the Israelites that God blessed them in the wilderness. Do not become proud and forget the Lord your God when you enter the prosperous land.
Malachi 3:8-12
Robbing God of tithes and offerings is unfaithful stewardship. Test God by being faithful in giving back to Him.
Matthew 6:19-21
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Our priorities should be on stewarding spiritual, eternal treasures, not earthly wealth.
Colossians 1:16-17
“For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”
Christ is supreme over all creation. As His followers, we steward what is His.
Luke 16:1-15
Jesus approves of the shrewd manager who stewarded his master’s possessions creatively. We are to use worldly wealth for eternal purposes.
1 Timothy 6:6-10
Loving money leads to ruin. Be content with food and clothing, and focus on righteousness and godliness.
Matthew 6:24
“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”
Money should not be our master. We are stewards managing wealth for God’s purposes.
Matthew 6:2-4
Give to the needy in secret. Let your giving be between you and God, not for show.
Philippians 4:11-13
Paul learned contentment in all circumstances. We can be content and good stewards whether living with much or little.
2 Corinthians 9:6-15
Sow generously and you will reap generously. God will increase our resources so we can give more.
Proverbs 3:9-10
“Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.”
When we honor God with our wealth, He promises to bless us in return.
Acts 20:35
“In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
Giving to help those in need brings joy and blessing.
Proverbs 21:20
“Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man’s dwelling, but a foolish man devours it.”
Wise stewards save and invest. Fools waste resources.
Matthew 25:31-46
Jesus tells how He will separate sheep from goats based on how they stewarded “the least of these.” Our stewardship has eternal consequences.
Colossians 3:23-24
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”
Our work is stewardship for the Lord.
1 Corinthians 10:26
“For ‘the earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof.’”
A reminder that everything belongs to God, so we must be faithful stewards.
James 1:17
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.”
All we have comes from God’s grace, so we steward His gifts.
In summary, the Bible has a great deal to say about stewardship. Some key principles include:
- Everything belongs to God; we are managers of His possessions
- God has entrusted abilities, spiritual gifts, and material resources to us
- We are expected to use wisely and care for what God gives us
- Our stewardship should reflect God’s values, not earthly priorities
- We will give an account for how we managed what God entrusted to us
- Stewarding possessions for eternal purposes brings joy and reward
As God’s stewards, we have a grave responsibility but also wonderful privileges. Our stewardship glorifies God, serves others, advances His kingdom, and stores up eternal treasures in heaven. We honor God when we manage wisely all that He has given us.