What does it mean to exercise good biblical stewardship?

from the old testament

• The foundation of biblical stewardship is laid in the creation account. God commanded Adam and Eve to “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 1:28). This reveals that humanity was created not as owners, but as caretakers of God’s world, entrusted with meaningful responsibility.
• The law of Moses reinforced stewardship through tithes, offerings, and Sabbath principles. The people of Israel were required to return a portion of their increase to the LORD as a reminder that everything belonged to Him (Leviticus 27:30). Even the land itself was not theirs, for God declared, “The land is mine” (Leviticus 25:23), and the Jubilee system ensured that no one could permanently hoard resources.
• Wisdom literature, including Psalms, Job, and Proverbs, underscores stewardship through warnings against laziness and greed. Proverbs frequently commends diligence, generosity, and wise planning, showing that the faithful steward is neither wasteful nor self-indulgent (Proverbs 3:9–10; 6:6–11; 21:20). The goal of stewardship in the Old Testament was to reflect God’s character through obedience and trust.
• The history of Israel provides practical examples of both faithful and unfaithful stewardship. Joseph, entrusted with managing Egypt’s resources during famine, acted with wisdom and foresight, preserving life (Genesis 41:46–57). By contrast, leaders who misused authority or exploited the poor were condemned, showing that stewardship involves accountability before God.
• The prophets often called God’s people back to proper stewardship, especially in caring for the vulnerable. Passages like Isaiah 58:6–7 and Micah 6:8 link true worship with the right use of resources—breaking oppression, feeding the hungry, and clothing the needy. In this way, stewardship was not limited to possessions but encompassed living in a way that upheld God’s justice and mercy.

from the new testament

• The New Testament presents stewardship as a comprehensive calling that extends beyond possessions to encompass every aspect of the believer’s life. Jesus taught about stewardship through parables, portraying servants entrusted with their master’s resources and held accountable for their management. For example, in the parable of the talents, faithful servants were commended and rewarded for wisely investing what they were given, while the unfaithful servant is rebuked for wasting the opportunity (Matthew 25:14–30). This teaching makes clear that stewardship involves ongoing diligence with a view toward eternal reward.
• Stewardship in the New Testament also includes the responsibility of proclaiming and preserving the gospel. Paul described himself and other ministers as “stewards of the mysteries of God,” emphasizing that what they taught was not their own thoughts but was a sacred trust received from God (1 Corinthians 4:1–2). This applies to every believer, as each is entrusted with spiritual gifts to be used for the good of the body of Christ (Romans 12:6–8; 1 Peter 4:10–11).
• Generosity is another hallmark of faithful stewardship. The early church modeled this in Acts 2:44–45, where believers willingly shared their possessions to meet each other’s needs. Paul instructed the Corinthians to give freely and cheerfully, assuring them that God would supply what they needed and multiply their resources for His glory (2 Corinthians 9:6–11).
• Stewardship also involves the wise use of time and opportunities. Paul urged believers to “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:15–16), calling for intentional living that prioritizes God’s purposes over self-indulgence. This principle recognizes that our days, much like our resources, are entrusted to us and must be cared for by prioritizing everything we do in light of eternity.
• Stewardship is grounded in the believer’s identity in Christ. Those who belong to Him have been “bought with a price” (1 Corinthians 6:20). Every resource, gift, and moment is to be placed under His lordship. Faithful stewardship is therefore not an optional aspect of being Jesus’ disciple but an essential expression of a life surrendered to Him.

implications for today

Good biblical stewardship is about recognizing that every part of our lives is a gift from God, offering it back to Him with open hands. Our time, our income, our home, our gifts, even our relationships—none of them are our own! They have been entrusted to us for a purpose: to serve others and to bring glory to God.

If you are in Christ, then your stewardship is ultimately an act of worship (Romans 12:1–2). You give all the while knowing that your heavenly Father knows what you need and provides richly. Wise stewardship flows from the security of knowing you are loved and chosen. It is driven by the joyful realization that what you do today—how you spend your money, how you invest your time, how you serve your church, how you build into relationships, how you use your gifts—has an eternal impact.

If you have never trusted Christ, then for you, biblical stewardship begins with surrender. God doesn’t need your money—He wants your heart. Therefore, before offering your resources to God, give yourself to Him. Jesus surrendered His life to save sinners, and when you respond to that gift with faith, your whole life becomes a platform for honoring Him. Stewardship, then, is not about what you give up, but about what how you intentionally manage all that the One who gave Himself for you has entrusted to you. It’s about joining God in His work, receiving His gifts with gratitude, and using His resources for His glory. And ultimately it’s a joyous thing (John 15:1–17; Galatians 6:6–10).