Rethinking Stewardship: Is the Bible's Emphasis Really on Money Management?

Managing our money well is undeniably important. As a financial planner at StewardRight, a firm dedicated to helping people steward their finances, I deeply believe in the value of managing resources wisely. However, when it comes to the teachings of Jesus, I think we often misplace the emphasis. While stewardship is part of the biblical message, I believe Jesus's teaching on money focuses more on guarding against its dangers and being willing to surrender it all for the sake of following Christ.

What is Stewardship? Understanding the Term Steward

Let’s start by understanding the term "steward." Although it is often seen as a biblical word or concept, Its origins trace back to Old English and earlier linguistic roots. The term "steward" originates from Old English stiweard or, combining stig ("house") and weard ("warden" or "guard"). It initially described someone responsible for managing a household or estate. Its roots extend back to Proto-Germanic stigaz ("house" or "path") and wardaz ("guard"), and even further to Proto-Indo-European wer ("to perceive" or "to watch"). By Middle English, "steward" had come to mean a manager or overseer, often of property or organizational matters.

In the Bible, the New Testament uses the Greek word οἰκονόμος (oikonomos), meaning the manager of a household or its affairs. According to Thayer’s Greek Lexicon, its use in the New Testament metaphorically refers to those entrusted with spiritual things, almost never with money.

Consider the following passages:

• 1 Corinthians 4:1-2: “This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.”

• 1 Peter 4:10-11: “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.”

Both passages focus on stewardship of spiritual things, not finances. In fact, oikonomos appears ten times in the New Testament, yet it is never used explicitly to teach financial stewardship. Even in the Gospel of Luke—where the word appears four times—it is tied to broader principles, not directly to money. Three uses occur in the parable of the dishonest manager (Luke 16), while the other appears in Luke 12:42-43: Who then is the faithful and wise manager (steward), whom his master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes.

This passage, while implying responsibility, still doesn’t focus on financial management.

The Bible's True Emphasis: A Warning About Money's Dangers

While stewardship is undeniably important—and central to the work I do at StewardRight—the New Testament places a greater emphasis on the dangers of money and possessions. Jesus consistently warned about wealth’s ability to distract, corrupt, and compete for our devotion.

For example:

• Greed and Covetousness: “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions” (Luke 12:15).

• The Love of Money: “No one can serve two masters… You cannot serve God and money” (Matthew 6:24).

• Radical Generosity: Jesus praised those willing to give everything to follow Him. “Sell your possessions, and give to the needy” (Luke 12:33).

Perhaps the clearest statement of this principle is in Mark 8:36:

A Call to Surrender

Managing our money well is a critical part of life, and stewardship is a biblical principle that has significant value. However, we must be careful not to make it the primary focus of what the Bible teaches about money. Jesus seemed more concerned with the condition of our hearts, our willingness to give, and our freedom from the dangers of wealth.

At StewardRight, we help clients manage their finances wisely, reflecting God’s ownership of all things. But we also encourage them to see their money as a tool to serve God’s purposes, rather than as an end in itself. True stewardship includes a willingness to let go of everything in obedience to Christ.

As Paul wrote to Timothy in 1 Timothy 6:17:

Ultimately, the Bible’s message is not just about how we manage our finances—it’s about whether we are ready to entrust everything to Him.