Who Is the Wise and Faithful Steward?

The lecture explains the meaning of being a steward of God, that is, God is the true owner of everything, and we are merely stewards over what we have — time, money, talents, and life. Everything we possess is a gift from God, and we must use it for His glory, not for our own.
Pope Shenouda emphasizes that a person does not own even himself, his body, or his soul, but is responsible to manage them faithfully according to God’s will, not personal desires. Therefore, one has no right to act over his own life or the life of others as he pleases, for life is a sacred divine gift.
He explains that every father, mother, servant, teacher, or shepherd is a steward of God over His children, His house, and His people, and must be wise and faithful in this stewardship, for God will ask each one to give an account.
He gives biblical examples: Adam was God’s steward in Eden, Noah in the Ark, Joseph in Potiphar’s house, and the prophets and apostles were all stewards in their missions. Even in ministry and teaching, man is not the owner of the work but the executor of God’s will only.
He warns against those who think money, talent, or position belong to them and use them for pride or selfishness, for God is the true owner. The faithful steward is the one who trades with the talents entrusted to him for the gain of the Kingdom, not his own.
He also notes that body, mind, and soul are deposits from God; one must not destroy or defile them with bad habits or intellectual pride, but use them to glorify God alone.
He concludes that man will be judged for everything entrusted to him: his time, service, money, and talents. The wise person lives always aware that he is a steward of God, acting faithfully and carefully in all that the Lord has given him.

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