It's NOT a Dirty Word!

Ephesians 3:2 (ESV)

^“…assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you…”

All I have to do is say the word and I almost always get a similar reaction.  It doesn’t matter whether it’s in a sermon, a Bible class, a church council meeting or just a regular conversation.  All I have to do is say the word “steward” or “stewardship” and someone will groan.  Another will roll their eyes.  Someone else will grimace.  “Here is comes,” people will think to themselves, “the pastors going to ask for more money.”  “I wish I had stayed home from church today.  Well I guess it has to happen once a year.  Let’s just get this over and done with.”  You would think that the word “steward” is a vulgar and dirty word.

It’s not!  I am of the opinion that the only way you can call this a dirty word is when you look at where it comes from in the English language. The roots of the English word “steward” are in the old English word “stigweard” which means “keeper of the sty.”  This was first used of the “keeper of the cattle pen.”  I would imagine that was pretty dirty work.  But that’s the only way you could call this a dirty word.

I believe the words “steward” or “stewardship” are great words.  In classical Greek, the word literally means “the manager of the household.”    The word implies that you have been entrusted with something of value that belongs to someone else.  In Genesis Joseph was made a steward over the prison where he was held captive.  The warden thought so highly of Joseph’s skills, honesty and integrity that he entrusted Joseph with the management of that prison.  Later in Genesis Pharaoh would, for the same reasons, entrust Joseph with the management of all Egypt.  He made Joseph a steward, second only to Pharaoh. 

I don’t know about you, but to be known as someone who is trustworthy… to be so trusted that someone would put you in charge of some important task – to me that is a high honor.  I grew up working with and for my dad at his place of business.  I still remember the day when I was in high school, when dad left me alone on a construction project with certain tasks he really wanted me to get done.  “Wow,” I thought, “Dad really trusts me.”  That trust was a great gift from my father.

St. Paul sees the word “steward” the same way.  In Ephesians 3 he writes about “the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me…”  God had entrusted to Paul a role in God’s kingdom that was of the highest importance.  He had called Paul to bring the Gospel to the Gentiles.  He was to “steward God’s grace,” that is to tell the Gentiles that God loved them even though they didn’t deserve it, in fact loved them so much that He gave His Son Jesus to be their savior.”  That’s a big responsibility.  Yet Paul describes it as something God had “given” him.  Literally the word “given” refers to a “gracious giving.”  In other words, Paul no more deserved this calling than the Gentiles deserved God’s love.

God has also graciously given us the opportunity to be a part of His loving work in this world.  As a parent, a friend, a church member, an employee or employer, a neighbor, a student – in every role God has called you to – You are His steward.  Everything you have – your time, your talents and your treasures – are all a “stewardship” He has graciously entrusted to you. When you choose a school for your kids… when you teach them to pray… when you listen to and love your neighbor… when you give to the Lord’s work – all of that is stewardship.  As my dad allowing me to work with him and for him was a great gift – even greater is this gift that God gives to us - the opportunity to be a part of His working in this world. 

“But,” you may think, “I make a mess of things.  I make wrong choices. I am selfish and unwise. How can God entrust me with anything knowing I will fail?”  Because He is gracious.  He forgives.  That’s why Jesus died on the cross and rose again.  Though you and I fail, He will not.  All of that is implied in the wonderful word “steward.”  That’s not a dirty word.  That’s a great word.