Stewardship is more than the term used for manager or overseer. In Genesis 5:15, Abram uses mesheq, pronounced (meh’-shek), to describe Eliezer of Damascus. This word is only used once in all of scripture and means son of possession or heir. Mesheq (meh’-shek) is a relational term one that indicates trust and love. This term goes far beyond the definition of stewardship used today. Most Christian financial counselors and capital stewardship gurus focus on the financial aspect of the term stewardship and not the relationship indicated in the word steward.
In the Hebrew language the word stewardship does not exist—only steward. Stewardship is the verb and steward is the noun. Much like sportsmanship is the act of being a good sportsman or craftsmanship is the act of being a good craftsman. In the Hebrew language the verb is understood because of the relationship between two individuals (as is inferred in Genesis 5). Stewardship is a term of relationship not a term of management.
The definition of stewardship is not:
- The concept of responsible caretaking; the concept is based on the premise that we don’t own resources, but are managers of resources and are responsible to future generations for their condition.
- The personal responsibility for taking care of another person's property or financial affairs or taking care of finances
Stewardship is: A deep and overwhelming desire to please God in every aspect of life that individual action is guided by the premise of honoring God in all manner of life. Stewardship is Worship!
God does not desire our time, talents and treasures;
He desires our hearts and the rest will follow suit.
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