2. Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary defines steward as: 1. one employed in a large household or estate to manage domestic concerns (as the supervision of servants, collection of rents, and keeping of accounts) 2. shop steward 3. a fiscal agent 4. an employee on a ship, airplane, bus, or train who manages the provisioning of food and attends passengers; one appointed to supervise the provision and distribution of food and drink in an institution 5. one who actively directs affairs: manager

3.  Thomas defines ο ἰ κονόμος [oikonomos] as a compound of oikos [a house, a dwelling] and nomos [law] from nemō [to manage], meaning “the manager of a household” [3623].  BDAG say it refers to a “(1) manager of a household or estate, (house) steward, manager; (2) public treasurer, treasurer; (3) one who is entrusted with management in connection with transcendent matters, administrator.”

4.  Many of the Lord’s parables dealt with stewardship (Luke 12:42-46; 16:1-9; etc.)  Nothing is ours; everything belongs to God (1 Tim. 6:7; Ps. 24:1).  As stewards of God, we must one day give an account of how we have used his bounty and blessings (1 Cor. 4:1-5; 2 Cor. 5:6-10; 1 Pet. 4:10-11).

5.  Our Abilities (Matt. 25:14-30; 1 Pet. 2:1-3; 2 Pet. 3:17-18)  Our Time (Eccl. 9:10; Eph. 5:15-16; Col. 3:23- 24; Col. 4:5)  Our Spiritual Obligations (Jude 3-4; Heb. 10:23-25; James 1:27; 1 Thess. 5:11-15; Eph. 4:14-15; 2 Tim. 2:15; Phil. 4:6-7; 2 Tim. 2:2)

6.  We often show great enthusiasm for our jobs, passions and pastimes, but leave little energy or resources for the things of God (Luke 8:14).  While we have obvious responsibilities in the physical realm, and no duty should be neglected, our highest efforts should be devoted to spiritual pursuits (Titus 2:11-14).