Seven Areas of Christian Stewardship

If you still have a Blockbuster or Toys “R” Us gift card tucked away somewhere, you will have a hard time redeeming it. A card that says “$100” is now little more than a piece of plastic—a reminder of a missed opportunity. The same may be true of that gym membership you have paid for over the past two years but used only twice. Unless you use it, you are just paying for somewhere not to go.

God gives each of us areas of stewardship, and He calls us to use them faithfully before the opportunity passes. Christian stewardship is more than money. It includes our opportunities, time, possessions, relationships, bodies, the gospel, and our souls.

1. Stewardship of Opportunity and Ability

Many people confuse the “talents” in the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14–30) with natural abilities, such as playing a musical instrument. But in the parable, a talent was not a skill; it was a large unit of money. God gives opportunities according to ability, and those opportunities carry responsibility. Opportunity plus ability equals responsibility.

2. Stewardship of Time

We have a limited amount of time, and it passes quickly. James reminds us, “What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes” (James 4:14). Instead of boasting about tomorrow, we should say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that” (James 4:15).

Good stewardship of time begins with faithful priorities. Jesus said, “We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work” (John 9:4). He also taught, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33).

Paul urged Christians to make “the best use of the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:16). That means making room for daily devotion, meditation on God’s Word, self-examination, prayer, Bible study, and service to others. We should also pray, “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12).

3. Stewardship of Material Possessions

The Bible gives many examples of poor stewardship of possessions. Jesus warned about the rich fool, the man “who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God” (Luke 12:21). The rich young ruler allowed his wealth to keep him from following Jesus (Matthew 19:16–22). Judas proved unfaithful and betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver (Matthew 26:15).

Poor stewardship of possessions often leads to other sins, including stealing, covetousness, and greed. John D. Rockefeller was once asked how much money is enough. “Just a little bit more,” he reportedly replied. Scripture warns that covetousness is idolatry (Colossians 3:5). As Henry Fielding warned, “If you make money your god, it will plague you like the devil.”

Good stewardship of material possessions requires honest self-examination. Do my desires help me grow as a Christian? How much time do I spend chasing things? Do possessions fill me with pride or false security? Do they keep me from eternal life? Have I ever seen a hearse pulling a U-Haul? God calls us to use possessions as tools for service, not as toys or treasures.

4. Stewardship of Relationships

Every relationship involves stewardship. Husbands must live with their wives in an understanding way, “since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered” (1 Peter 3:7). Fathers must not provoke their children to anger, but must bring them up “in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). Older women are to train younger women “to love their husbands and children” (Titus 2:4).

Christians must also care for one another. We are to “consider how to stir up one another to love and good works” and encourage one another faithfully (Hebrews 10:24–25). When someone is overtaken in sin, those who are spiritual must “restore him in a spirit of gentleness” (Galatians 6:1). Jesus even commands us, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). No enemies? Go out and get some, so you can love them as commanded. If the world hated Jesus, it will hate His disciples too.

5. Stewardship of the Body

Stewardship of the body begins with this truth: “You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body” (1 Corinthians 6:19–20). In that context, good stewardship requires Christians to flee sexual immorality (1 Corinthians 6:18).

Proper stewardship of the body also calls for discipline and self-control. I remember an old man named Joe trying to use Jesus’ words to justify smoking. He said, “Preacher, don’t you know Jesus said it is not what enters a man that defiles him, but what comes out of a man?” I said, “In that case, Joe, it would still be a sin to exhale.”

As for chewing tobacco and going to heaven, all I know for sure is this: if you are going to chew tobacco in heaven, you will have to go to hell to spit. Shakespeare called alcohol “a poison men take into the mouth to steal away the brain.” Paul modeled bodily discipline when he wrote, “I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified” (1 Corinthians 9:27).

6. Stewardship of the Gospel

Paul told the Christians in Thessalonica, “we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel” (1 Thessalonians 2:4). Preaching the gospel is both a duty and a privilege, and it demands faithful stewardship from those entrusted with it.

We sing this truth often: “Into our hands the gospel is given,” “Are you sowing the seed of the Kingdom, brother?” and “Christ has no hands but our hands to do His work today.” Yet it has been observed that the average church member has heard 4,000 sermons, 8,000 congregational prayers, 20,000 public songs, and saved zero sinners. That thought should move us to action.

7. Stewardship of the Soul

The soul is so valuable that Jesus asked, “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26). Far too many neglect the soul while laying up treasures on earth. It matters little how much you lose in this life if you save your soul, and it matters little what you save in this life if you lose your soul.

Men such as Governor Felix and King Agrippa failed to seize the opportunity to become Christians. Jeremiah’s lament still warns us: “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved” (Jeremiah 8:20).

One day, at death, the spirit will return to God. Scripture says, “and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it” (Ecclesiastes 12:7). Then “we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:10). My prayer is that you will hear the Judge say, “Well done, good and faithful servant… Enter into the joy of your master” (Matthew 25:21).

God has entrusted us with opportunities, time, possessions, relationships, bodies, the gospel, and souls. Each one is a gift, and each one comes with responsibility. Let us use what God has placed in our hands for His glory while we still have time.

By Daniel R. Vess