Stewardship is at the heart of our Christian calling. It is the first task God assigned to the human race in Genesis 1:28. God then told Adam and Eve to “have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and every living thing that moves on the earth” (NKJV). Stewardship is the recognition that everything you have was given to you by God. And you must manage it while remaining accountable to your source. This is a spiritual principle you must understand in your quest to serve as the salt and light of your world.
Some of the world’s wealthiest people understand this principle. After Alibaba founder Jack Ma became the richest man in China after the company went public for a record $25 billion in September 2014, he made an interesting comment about his newfound wealth. “If you have less than $1 million, you know how to spend the money,” he once said. “At $1 billion, that’s not your money. The money I have today is a responsibility. It’s the trust of people on me.” Ma stated that he feels compelled to spend his money “on behalf of the society.” This mindset drives the philanthropy of the wealthiest families on the planet.
Biblical Stewardship is the understanding that your time, talents, relationships, and possessions all belong to God. In the words of Dr. Otto Octavius (Spider-Man 2), “Intelligence is not a privilege, it’s a gift. And you use it for the good of mankind.” Stewardship boils down to this, “I will not use my time, talents or money in a way I cannot defend before God”. The parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30) reminds us of the importance of using our resources diligently. Our initiatives must not just be about personal gain but should reflect our commitment to improving the lives of others and contributing to the well-being of society.