The New Testament uses the term “stewardship” to express and define what it means to be a servant of Christ, our Lord. Newspaper front pages regularly discuss and highlight economics, along with the moral and psychological challenges that surround it. This is particularly true in an election year, when most discussions centre on economic matters. It takes us a while to realise that other issues of concern, like education, poverty, the environment, health, abortion, etc., are equally economic in nature. In its broadest sense, economics is not only about money, taxes, or business or commerce but also about resource management. This covers every resource we have, including those of our future children as well as educational materials and societal rules and regulations.
In other words, economics is the study of how we use our resources in the context of biblical stewardship. Think about the linguistic connection between economics and stewardship. The Greek word oikonomia, which consists of the words “house” or “household” (oikos) and “law” (nomos), are the source of the English words’ “economics” and “economy.” Thus, the combination of oikos and nomos accurately translates to “house law.”
The English translation of oikonomia is “economy.” Oikonomia is also translated as “stewardship” in English. Hence, stewardship and economics are the same concepts; in fact, a New Testament Christian would not distinguish between the two.
In the past, a steward was formerly someone who was entrusted with the duty and power to manage household affairs. For instance, according to Genesis 39:1-6, the patriarch Joseph was appointed steward of Potiphar’s household, managing all affairs and having the power to govern the entire establishment. In that capacity, it was his responsibility to effectively and prudently manage the family’s resources rather than squander them.
That said, the function of a steward, neither originated from the Greek management system nor did the Egyptians develop it during Joseph’s time. The steward’s job originates from the concept of stewardship, which has its roots in the creation of man.
Let’s examine the fundamental components of stewardship found in the first few chapters of Genesis.
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.” (Genesis 1:26-28)
The Bible begins with the creation of mankind, who are made in the image of God, the One who first revealed Himself as the Creator of all. God then calls His image bearers to imitate Him by becoming creative. It is mandated of humans to procreate and flourish. This was an order for output, which has consequences for good stewardship. Stewardship therefore constitutes a creation-based responsibility. This means the need for stewardship originates from creation. Using the power that God has given us to oversee creation and following our creator’s lead in maintaining, caring for, protecting, and beautifying it are the main components of stewardship.
Oftentimes, we make the mistake of thinking that the New Testament is only about loving one another and teachings on grace, not works. That it has nothing to do with labour, industry, or productivity. However, if we look closely at Jesus’ vocabulary and parables, we find that the call to fruitfulness is emphasised. Jesus asks the disciples to bear fruit for the benefit of the kingdom and for the sake of multiplying the human race or species. This elaborates the creation ordinance, which states that His people must be fruitful or productive.
To have dominion over the earth was the second commandment given to Adam and Eve. Adam and Eve were appointed by God to serve as His vice-regents, overseeing the whole of creation on His behalf. It’s not that God gave humanity autonomous ownership of the earth. He still has it. However, God gave Adam and Eve the power to rule over the skies, rivers, seas, vegetation, environment and other living things. Adam and Eve were not to recklessly abuse their power like autocrats or dictators, since God did not make them owners of the earth. He appointed them to be stewards of the planet, working for His glory, His honour and for His name’s sake.
God immediately created a magnificent garden and set Adam and Eve in it after giving them this command (Gen. 2:15). “To work it and keep it,” was His command to and demand of them. This mandate to work and maintain is essential to understanding the obligation placed on humans as a result of their unique status as being made in God’s image and given dominion over the earth.
God assigned humans the task of reflecting and mirroring his stewardship over this realm at the time of creation. This goes well beyond the roles of the church or religious organisations. It related to how we conduct business, interact with one another, treat animals, maintain the environment, and engage in scientific pursuits or efforts. This power over the planet does not give us the right to plunder, abuse, destroy, or exploit it; rather, it entails a duty to care for and maintain our home as stewards of the divine. Maintaining and beautifying one’s home includes keeping it in order, preventing it from collapsing, and adding beauty and functionality. This principle serves as the foundation for the entire science of ecology. God did not say, “You will always have food from heaven from now on.” “You are going to assist me in being productive by dressing, tilling, planting, replenishing, and so forth,” He declared.
Name the animals was the third commandment given to Adam and Eve in the garden (Gen. 2:19). This, in the most basic sense, was the origin of science: the ability to differentiate between different species, kinds, and forms, as well as the ability to recognise reality as we study it. Taking interest in and learning about our local environment is another aspect of stewardship. These guidelines apply to the entire concept of globalisation, not just to an individual’s home.
Today, few individuals have lived long enough to recall the incredible feat accomplished by Americans in the 20th century when they launched the first astronauts to the moon. Naturally, the first steps astronaut Neil Armstrong took on the moon and his declaration of a significant milestone for humanity will always be a part of that recollection. The accomplishment of humanity can be interpreted as either a manifestation of human ego, or pride, or as a realisation of the divine mandate to rule over creation.
CONCLUSION
In essence, stewardship is about using our divinely granted authority over creation and imitating our creator in the care, upkeep, obligation or responsibility, preservation, and aesthetic beautification of His creation.