The exercise of the office of one called to have responsible care of possessions entrusted to him or her. As used of Christian stewardship in a broad sense, the word refers to the responsibility of God’s people for, and use of, everything entrusted to them by God—life, physical being, time, talents and abilities, material possessions, opportunities to be of service to others, and their knowledge of truth. Seventh-day Adventists conceive of this life as a divinely appointed opportunity to learn to be faithful stewards, thereby qualifying for the higher stewardship of eternal things in the future life.
God originally appointed Adam to be steward of this world ( Gen. 1:28 ), but through sin Adam forfeited the full exercise of his overlordship ( Luke 4:6 ). Three of our Lord’s parables teach the responsibilities inherent in stewardship—the nobleman and the pounds ( Luke 19:11–27 ), the talents ( Matt. 25:14–30 ), and the dishonest steward ( Luke 16:19–31 ). These parables teach the diligent use of present opportunities in preparation for the future. All three stress the fact that human beings are accountable to God for stewardship, and that a strict account will be required of them. Neglect or misuse of this God-given stewardship will mean the forfeiting of their privilege of higher stewardship in the world to come.
In a more restricted sense, the word “stewardship” means one’s responsibility for a wise use of the material resources that come into his or her possession, especially one’s responsibility to God with respect to tithes and offerings. See Church Calendar ; Systematic Benevolence ; Tithe .