Stewardship goes beyond how we handle our time and money. It deals with any entrustment we’ve been given, including the responsibilities and the people God has given us to lead.
The Case for Stewardship
We begin with the recognition that anything we have has been given to us by God and should therefore be used for His glory and treated with the dignity due Him. Reflect on the following verses:
The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it (Ps. 24:1)We must always remember that we lead “God’s flock that is under your care” (1 Pet. 5:2). We have an entrustment (Matt. 25:14; 1 Pet. 5:3). We care for that which belongs to Him, not just because we’re accountable to Him (Lk. 12:48) but because He deserves our best. — “… guard what has been entrusted to your care.” (1 Tim. 6:20)
The Characteristics of a Good Steward
Good stewards tend to be grateful people. We lead well from a position of eagerness and desire, not duty or compulsion. We want to return to Him what which He deserves, not pursue our own selfish interests. See 1 Peter 5:2-3.
We therefore give Him our best, wisely caring for that which He entrusted to us, whether that be little or much. We diligently care for our leadership responsibilities, not falling into a lazy, apathetic, or despondent stance. We step out confidently in the One who sovereignly distributed our responsibilities to us, not fearful and insecure (Matt. 25:14-30). As a good steward we will therefore one day hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Matt. 25:23).
Because we acknowledge that God has given us what we have, however great or small, we can be content (1 Tim. 6:6-9) to steward that with which He has entrusted to us. We therefore won’t be compelled to let non-essentials cloud our priorities. Rather, being faithful with what He has given us, we can trust Him for more as He deems fit (Matt. 25:23).
Examples of Stewardship in the Practicum:
- Leaders Who are Good Stewards Tend to Delegate More
- Church Discipline is a Matter of Stewardship
- Good Stewards Aim Toward Growth
- Be a Faithful Steward Using Job Descriptions
- Good Stewards of Our Time
For More, Go To: Resources to Help Leaders in Their Role as Stewards
Also, Check Out: Other Leadership Roles
How can a practicum help church leaders apply biblical principles of leadership to their real-world ministry contexts? Regards
Part of being a good steward is taking what God has entrusted to us, even in terms of His Word, and putting it into practice. This leadership practicum is about showing how the basics of life in Christ, as described in Scripture, need to be applied to all we do as leaders. When we align with God and His ways, we put ourselves in position to steer the Church toward real ministry in whatever context we may live in. It’s about doing ministry God’s way because God’s ways are always best. As He said, “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isa. 55:9) It’s about accomplishing His purposes, not ours. God continues in Isaiah 55:10-11, “As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”
put jesus infront and follow his steps then you become a good leader
Amen. It truly is about “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” (Heb. 12:2)