![]() ![]() When he returns, two of those servants have doubled the money their master gave them, and he rewards them handsomely. In the Parable of the Talents, Jesus tells a story about a man who entrusts three servants with bags of gold (or talents) and then goes on a trip. When it comes to stewardship in the Bible, the clearest picture of our relationship to God’s resources and his expectations for how we use them comes from Jesus. THE PARABLE OF THE TALENTS (MATTHEW 25:14–30) Here are a few of the key passages that should shape our understanding of biblical stewardship. But numerous passages provide insights into our role and responsibilities as stewards. You won’t find many verses that specifically mention stewardship (although several passages mention stewards). It’s about using what he’s given us to accomplish something that matters. Stewardship isn’t about “giving back” to God. The Bible is full of passages instructing us to use our resources to care for the poor and those who are in need (1 John 3:17–18, Proverbs 28:27, 1 Timothy 5:8). We need to invest them in kingdom causes and use them to provide for the needs of others. As stewards, our challenge is to use God’s resources in ways that advance his interests. But God is trusting us to do much more than that. We can invest them all in ourselves and use them on things that only matter to us. While they’re in our possession, we have the choice to use God’s resources however we want. He’s not just loaning us money and other resources. But stewardship goes beyond simply “borrowing” things from God. When something doesn’t belong to you, that should lead you to use it more carefully. There are times when we feel we’ve earned something by our own merit or effort, but even then, God is the one who deserves the credit and has true ownership. This is one of the most challenging aspects of biblical stewardship that Christians have to grasp. To exalt and give strength to all.” -1 Chronicles 29:12 Wealth, riches, honor, strength, power, and authority belong to him too. Since God owns everything, all that we have comes from him. They were made with his materials using hands he made, and they were purchased with his resources-which he allows us to have and use. ![]() But for millennia, God’s people have believed that the things we make aren’t really ours. You might be reading this on a device that you paid for. Right now you’re probably surrounded by things that were made with human hands. The world, and all who live in it.” -Psalm 24:1 “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, “Who has a claim against me that I must pay?Įverything under heaven belongs to me.” -Job 41:11 (emphasis added) The Bible makes it abundantly clear that as the creator of everything, God owns everything.
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