Principles of Good Stewardship

Bible Summary. A key principle of good stewardship is to obey people in authority and be ready for every good work. Another principle of good stewardship is to serve others to the best of our abilities. . Good stewardship is a lifestyle devoted to good works, giving, and having godly relationships with our fellowmen. Good stewardship has its basis in a person having a true desire to do good for the glory of God. See below for Bible commentary and advice concerning the principles of good stewardship.

1. Obey Authority and Be Ready For Every Good Work.

A key principle of good stewardship is to obey people in authority and be ready for every good work. Many times our flesh may not want to answer to authority, but God say that as good stewards we are to answer to authority. Many times our flesh may be tempted to do things not of God, but as stewards we are to be ready at all times to do good works.

See Scripture Commentary: Titus 3:1 advises us to be subject to authority and be ready for every good work.

2. Serve Others to the Best of Our Abilities.

Another principle of good stewardship is to serve others to the best of our abilities. God has given each of us gifts in terms of abilities that he desires for us to use for his glory. God has given us stewardship over both natural and spiritual gifts according to his grace. With those gifts we are to minister to others for their benefit and God’s glory.

See Scripture Commentary: 1st Peter 4:10 advises us to be good stewards by using our gifts to minister to others.

3. Readiness to Do Good Works, Give, and Communicate to Others.

Good stewardship is a lifestyle devoted to good works, giving, and having godly relationships with our fellowmen. Good stewardship at its core is about doing good for the glory of God. God is good and what is not of God is bad. As good stewards we are to seek God’s goodness and do his goodness.

See Scripture Commentary: 1st Timothy 6:18 advises us to be good, be rich in good works, give to others, and be willing to communicate with others.

4. Doing Good Even When No One Is Watching.

God blesses good stewards. Good stewardship has its basis in a person having a true desire to do good for the glory of God. Good stewardship is not just about doing the minimum that we think God requires of us or following the “letter of the law”. Good stewardship also is not just doing good when we think someone is watching us or just doing good on Sunday or when we think God may be watching us.

See Scripture Commentary: Luke 12:43 tells us that servants are blessed who their lord finds them doing good.