What Is A Steward

The Word That Changes Everything

The biblical word for steward is oikonomos—the household steward. This role was in charge of all the activities, resources, and people within the household affairs, often second only to the Master of the house. This meant that the one entrusted with this operated with the full weight and authority of the master of the house himself, providing the opportunity for the master to be on other duties and focuses while the needs of the house were met.

A steward then is:

• Entrusted by an Owner with a domain

• Assigned authority to administer that domain

• Accountable to order everything according to the Owner's will

• Measured by alignment and fruit

Just like the household Steward, Kingdom people are called to the Household of God and not unlike this role implies, we are asked to tend to the duties of the household with the authority given. This isn't mere symbolic language. A steward is someone who governs.

In the beginning of Genesis, we see God create man and woman in His image, and the first blessing and first assignment are wrapped up in those famous words: Be fruitful and multiply, and take dominion of the Earth, and subdue it, and replenish it. Here in Genesis 1:28, God delegates authority to humanity to govern what He has created.

The Biblical Pattern

Stewardship as governance appears throughout Scripture:

Joseph in Egypt — Governs Pharaoh's household and then all of Egypt. He doesn't own it, but he has full administrative authority over inputs, systems, and outputs.

Nehemiah — Governs the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls with divine authorization and delegated power to organize people, resources, and timelines.

The Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25) — Reward comes from governance that produces multiplication, not preservation that maintains the original gift.

Jesus in Luke 19:13 — "Occupy until I return." The Greek word means to trade, to do business, to govern resources toward increase.

Adoption in Christ (Romans 8:17, Galatians 4:7) — We are not just saved; we are adopted as heirs, entrusted with the Father's affairs.

The pattern is consistent: Stewardship = governance of what belongs to God.

Delegated dominion.