Berean Bible Church

What is a Steward?

Lesson I

July 6, 2008

Text Luke 16:1-2

In this lesson, we plan to answer two questions.

What is the meaning of one being a ‘steward’?

What is required of a steward ?

I A Dictionary meaning

“Steward” a person entrusted with the management of estates and affairs not his own.

We add: “one who is responsible for another’s goods, therefore accountable.

II The Bible’s use and meaning of the word.

1. 1 Chronicles 28:1 Of David- “gathered the stewards over all the substance and possessions of the king”

1 Chronicles 27:25-34 here their tasks are listed. These men were guardians

of goods belonging to the King

As we apply these lessons, remember, God has given you something to take care of for Him.

2 1 Peter 4:9-10 “..as good stewards of the manifold grace of God…”

2 Corinthians 5:19-20 committed unto us the word of reconciliation

1Timothy 1:11 Paul wrote: “the gospel was committed to my trust

2 Timothy 4:7 at the end of his earthly journey, he said “I have kept the faith

The word as used here is that of a trustee. One to whom a trust, a charge , has been given

As we apply this: as a Christian the gospel has been committed to our trust.

Perhaps, nothing is more important!

3 Matthew 13:52 the word here is householder

One who distributes goods not his own

A dispenser of goods belonging to another

An old fashioned ‘store-keeper’ , but not the owner of the store.

If the store were ours there would be nothing in it!

1 Corinthians 4:7 a good question

1 Timothy 6:7 we brought nothing into the world

4. Romans 16:23 Erastus the chamberlain of the city

That word means “the city treasurer.

We apply that to a steward: the man who looked after that which did not belong to him

5 Genesis 15:2 the steward of my house

cf Genesis 24:2 here , the same person is called a servant

To sum-up: A Steward is: a guardian, a trustee, a householder, a treasurer, and servant.

In every case, one in charge of goods belonging to someone else.

III The People, God has used, have all been identified as servants of God

1. Examples in Old Testament Scriptures

Deuteronomy 34:5 and Joshua 1:1,2 Moses

Joshua 24:29 Joshua

Numbers 14:24 Caleb

Job 1:8 Job

Isaiah 20:3 Isaiah

Daniel 3:26 the three Hebrews

Daniel 6:20 Daniel

2. Examples in the New Testament

Romans 1:1 Paul

Romans 16:1 Phebe

Philippians 1:1 Timothy

Colossians 4:12 Epaphras

2 Peter 2:1 Peter

Jude 1 Jude

The word used in the N.T. is “bond-slave” see Exodus 21:5-6

IV What is required of a steward?

1 Corinthians 4:2 faithful

Titus 2:9-10 honest

2 Corinthians 4:2 renounced dishonesty

1 Thessalonians 2:3 no guile