{"id":12053,"date":"2024-07-08T09:04:34","date_gmt":"2024-07-08T13:04:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/trainchurchleaders.com\/practicum\/?p=12053"},"modified":"2026-06-22T09:52:19","modified_gmt":"2026-06-22T13:52:19","slug":"church-leaders-be-a-steward","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/trainchurchleaders.com\/practicum\/church-leaders-be-a-steward.htm","title":{"rendered":"Church Leaders: Be a Steward"},"content":{"rendered":"

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.<\/p>\n

The Case for Stewardship<\/h2>\n

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:<\/p>\n

\"BeThe earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it (Ps. 24:1)<\/em><\/div>\n
I am God, your God. … the world is mine, and all that is in it. (Ps. 50:12)<\/em><\/div>\n
…all things were created by him, and for him (Col. 1:16)<\/em><\/div>\n
What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not? (1 Cor. 4:7)<\/em><\/div>\n
For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. (1 Tim. 6:7)<\/em><\/div>\n

We must always remember that we lead “God\u2019s 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)<\/p>\n

The Characteristics of a Good Steward<\/h2>\n

Good stewards tend to be grateful<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n

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<\/strong> servant!” (Matt. 25:23).<\/p>\n

Because we acknowledge that God has given us what we have, however great or small, we can be content<\/strong> (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).<\/p>\n

Examples of Stewardship in the Practicum:<\/p>\n