Stewardship (theology)

Stewardship is a theological concept regarding human responsibility. It suggests that people are responsible for the world and all its resources. This includes the care of humanity and the gifts people have been entrusted with. Many believers hold that one God created the entire universe. Therefore, they believe they must protect and look after all of creation. This creation encompasses both the natural environment and all animals.

The mechanism of stewardship relies on the idea of divine ownership. Many religious traditions believe that God owns everything in existence. For example, the Bible states that the earth and everything in it belongs to the Lord. Because God is the owner, humans act as managers rather than owners. They must use resources to honor God and impact eternity. This involves managing time, talents, material possessions, and wealth.

There are several distinct types of stewardship. Environmental stewardship focuses on reducing human impacts on the natural world. Some see humans as having a special role to protect life through technology. This is sometimes viewed as a modern interpretation of the story of Noah's Ark. Other forms include social or ministerial stewardship. This involves sharing resources like money, time, and specialized skills. In Jewish, Christian, and Muslim traditions, stewardship also applies to how one uses personal abilities.

Historical and biblical roots provide the foundation for these beliefs. In the book of Genesis, it is described that God put man in the Garden of Eden to dress and keep it. The book of Leviticus also describes a system where land must observe a Sabbath of rest. This meant farmers could not sow or reap every year to prevent exhausting the land. In Judaism, the holiday Tu Bishvat serves as a specific tradition. It is known as the "New Year of the Trees" or Jewish Arbor Day.

Specific religious practices illustrate how stewardship is applied. In Jewish law, the tithe is a significant practice of giving. This involved returning a specific portion of material gain to God. For instance, the first ten percent of food or livestock was used to support the Levites. Christianity also uses the concept of the tithe and the "talents." The Parable of the Talents in the book of Matthew tells of servants managing money. Those who used their talents well were rewarded, while the one who hid his was rebuked.

Stewardship has significant modern implications in various fields. In the Netherlands, the political party CDA lists stewardship as one of its four key ideals. For them, it means taking a principled stand regarding human and natural resources. In the United States, stewardship ministries saw rapid growth during the 2000s and 2010s. Leaders such as Larry Burkett, Howard Dayton, and Ron Blue helped inspire this growth. Other prominent figures include Dave Ramsey, Rick Warren, and Andy Stanley.

Finally, stewardship connects to broader global and philosophical ideas. It is closely linked to the field of environmentalism and ecotheology. Some secular or pagan views include the Gaia philosophy. This philosophy views the Earth as a holy being or a goddess. Many moderate and progressive religious groups see environmentalism as a consequence of stewardship. Whether through political action or personal discipline, the concept asks how humans manage the world they inhabit.