Christian Stewardship

 

Jesus the Good Steward: Five ways to follow his example

Have you ever thought about what it really means to be a good steward? Stewardship isn’t just about money—it’s about how we manage everything God entrusts to us: our time, abilities, relationships, and even creation itself. From the very beginning, God has called his people to live as wise and faithful stewards. 

Good stewardship lies at the heart of the command given to Adam and Eve in Genesis to be fruitful, subdue the earth and rule over everything. As God’s image bearers they were to reflect the heart of a benevolent God to the world in a caring and wise way (Genesis 1:26-28). It’s a charge that passes on to us.

Yet, as we see from Genesis 3 onwards, humanity's stewardship has been marked by failure, as sin distorts our ability to care for what God has entrusted to us. But while many biblical figures illustrate stewardship in different ways, Jesus provides the ultimate example.

Here are five ways in which Jesus shows us what being a good steward is all about.

1. Use your God-given abilities

Jesus taught a lot about how we should steward everything in life. One such example is the ‘Parable of the Talents’ (Matthew 25:14-30). It’s a powerful narrative illustrating the key principles of stewardship. In the parable, a master entrusts his servants with talents (a form of currency) before going on a journey. The servants who wisely invest and multiply their talents are praised upon the master's return, while the one who buries his talent is rebuked.

Jesus uses this parable to convey the importance of using one's God-given abilities and resources for the benefit of the Kingdom. The lesson goes beyond financial matters; it extends to the skills, time, and opportunities we have generally in life. Jesus encourages us to actively engage with these gifts bestowed upon us by God and to use them responsibly for the growth of his kingdom through the church.

Whether it's our profession, creativity, leadership, or acts of kindness, we are called to use what we have—not bury it in fear.

2. Serve the needs of others

Jesus’ act of washing his disciples’ feet (John 13) shows us that stewardship is about serving others, no matter how lowly the task. Philippians 2:5-11 reminds us that Jesus’ whole life—from incarnation to the cross—was one of self-giving service. In the same way, true stewardship isn’t about status or recognition, but about humbly caring for others.

Jesus' life not only demonstrates humility but also the essence of a good steward. Jesus, the ultimate steward of humanity's salvation, exemplifies the importance of selfless service. In stewarding the basic ability of washing another’s feet he sets the example of serving others with deep love and humility that mirrored his entire mission.

3. Make the most of your time

Throughout the Gospels, Jesus consistently shows compassion and care for the marginalised, the sick, and the needy. He primarily does this by making time for them. Jesus made time for the marginalised and hurting, showing that good stewardship isn’t just about talents or money, but how we prioritise people in our daily lives. We never read about Jesus wasting a moment, everything is always carried out with impeccable timing.

While we can never achieve this same level of perfection the principle to note is that good stewardship extends beyond personal talents, resources and even basic abilities. A compassionate and caring attitude towards others will often cost us the most in terms of our time. In imitating Jesus, we’re called to be a good steward of love and justice by spending time actively engaging in the well-being of others around us.

4. Be prepared for sacrifice

The pinnacle of Jesus' stewardship is found in his sacrificial death on the cross. In Mark 10:45, Jesus states, "For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many". This profound statement encapsulates the sacrificial nature of Jesus' mission on Earth.

The cross represents the ultimate act of being a good steward, as Jesus willingly offers himself for the redemption of humanity. Believers are called to reflect on this sacrificial love, recognising the responsibility to steward their lives in a manner that aligns with the transformative power of the cross, and share the life-saving message of the gospel.

Stewardship isn’t always easy. Sometimes, it calls for sacrifice—putting others before ourselves and giving generously, just as Jesus gave his life for us.

5. Care for the environment

While the Bible may not explicitly address environmental concerns as we understand them today, the broader concept of stewardship can be applied to caring for God's creation. In returning to the early chapters of Genesis we note that humans are given the responsibility to rule. This charge implies a role of caretakers or stewards, responsible for maintaining the harmony and balance of the created world.

Applying this principle to contemporary environmental issues, believers can see themselves as good stewards of the Earth. Responsible resource management, sustainable practices, and a mindful approach to environmental impact align with the biblical call to be caretakers of God's creation. 

It’s no accident that the risen Jesus was mistaken for a gardener (John 20:15)—a reminder that caring for creation is part of our calling.

Following the example of the Good Steward

Stewardship isn’t just about what we have—it’s about how we live. Jesus, the ultimate Good Steward, calls us to follow his example in every area of life: using our gifts wisely, serving others humbly, making time for what matters, embracing sacrifice, and caring for creation. As we do, we reflect God’s heart to the world.

Amen!

By Matt Holderness

Matt Holderness portrait

05 Mar 2025