The Steward
Main Idea
This lecture revolves around the concept of the steward in the Holy Bible, explaining that God is the true owner of everything, and that man is not an owner but a steward over what has been entrusted to him—his life, time, body, soul, money, talents, and service.
Spiritual and Educational Dimension
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III explains that stewardship is not absolute authority, but a responsibility exercised under God’s command and will. Adam and Noah were stewards of God, yet within clear limits. The same applies to prophets, priests, and servants, all regarded as faithful stewards who convey God’s will, not their own.
Conditions of the Faithful Steward
A true steward must be faithful and wise, providing spiritual and material nourishment at the proper time, caring not for himself but for his responsibility. He must also trade with the talents given by God and gain profit for God’s glory, not for self-glory.
Personal Stewardship
The teaching emphasizes that every person is a steward over:
- His life and time
- His body and soul
- His mind and thoughts
- His money and talents
He has no right to act with absolute freedom, because these do not belong to him but to God, and he will be required to give an account of this stewardship.
Stewardship in Service and Teaching
Every servant, priest, bishop, or teacher is a steward of a divine message and must adhere to sound Orthodox biblical teaching without innovation or distortion, for stewardship is accountable before God.
Conclusion
Stewardship is a call to faithfulness, wisdom, and obedience. It is a sacred responsibility that requires a person to live his entire life as a trust in God’s hands, awaiting the day he hears: “Give an account of your stewardship.”
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