The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines stewardship as “the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one’s care”. As humans, we are each responsible not only for our own lives, but for the lives, well-being, and care of the people, animals, and resources around us. This stewarding of our world is fundamental to the long-term success of society and of mankind on this planet.
In a weaker sense, being a steward is being a manager. Everything in our lives must be managed—that is a given. However, stewardship implies more care, more seriousness, more intentionality than just managing. I can manage to get through this week, but can I steward those 7 days in such a way that I made the best use of the time, resources, and relationships during that week? It’s a much bigger responsibility.
In the Judeo-Christian tradition, God made mankind stewards of the earth when He told them in Genesis 1:28, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” As a Christian myself, the Bible is the strongest reason I have to practice stewardship, but you don’t have to be religious to be a good steward. There are many environmental, scientific, psychological, and societal reasons to practice stewardship.
Stewardship is really a mindset that can then be applied to all aspects of life. If we approach everything in our lives—people, finances, food, etc.—thinking, “how can I carefully and responsibly manage this?” then we are well on our way to practicing good, holistic stewardship. My goal with this blog is to share my thoughts, progress, struggles, and successes as I strive to be a good steward, and my hope is that you’ll be encouraged in your journey as well.
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