Welcome to the first part of our five-part series, Biblical Stewardship in the Corporate World.
Before we dive into the practical strategies of managing finance, people, and leadership, we must confront the biggest misconception in business: ownership. The truth of stewardship doesn't start with what we do, but with who we acknowledge. This post is a necessary and radical challenge to the very premise of self-made success.
The Unshakable Truth on Divine Ownership
In the corporate world, ownership revolves around the documents, share certificates, titles, and contracts that name the shareholders, founders, or investors. These people get the final say and the lion's share of the profit.
But the Bible offers the ultimate counter-claim, a truth that supersedes every legal contract:
“The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” (Psalm 24:1)
This isn't a theological footnote; it's the ultimate corporate charter.
It means your company isn't your monument to success. Your intellectual property, your profit margins, your office real estate, and the very talent of your team—all of it exists under God’s ultimate ownership. When you truly grasp this, business stops being a pursuit of personal gain and becomes a sacred trust.
- Your company is His; you direct its course.
- Your capital is His; you allocate it wisely.
- Your authority is His; you wield it under delegation, not dominance.
- You are not the owner—you are the steward.
Understanding the Steward’s Mandate
The concept of the steward comes from the Greek word oikonomia, which literally means “house management.” A steward is the appointed CEO of another person’s assets. They have full authority to operate and make decisions, but their decisions are always judged by the owner’s purpose and standards.
Think about Joseph in Genesis. Despite being a slave in Potiphar's house, he was put in charge of everything his master owned because the Lord was with him. He owned nothing, yet he managed everything. Joseph’s success wasn't due to control, but to faithfulness to his temporary master.
Our ultimate Owner has provided every resource, set the purpose (His glory), and will demand an account of our faithfulness, as seen in the Parable of the Talents:
“His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much.’” (Matthew 25:21)
Our job is to use God’s resources (time, talent, and treasure) in alignment with His will. Stewardship isn't passive caretaking; it's active, purposeful faithfulness.
The Radical Stewardship Shift
This perspective demands a radical shift in how we lead. The secular world prioritizes maximizing personal profit and shareholder return. Biblical stewardship calls us to a higher purpose: seeking God’s glory through every choice.
This doesn't mean ignoring profit; it means redefining its role. Profit becomes a resource for greater impact, a means to bless employees, serve customers, and strengthen communities in ways that honor the Owner.
The question you ask in the boardroom, or even at your desk, changes fundamentally:
- Before: "What can I gain from this business?"
- Now: "How can I manage this business faithfully for God’s purposes?"
When this shift takes hold, even routine tasks, an email, a budget review, a personnel meeting, gain eternal weight. You start living and leading with an eternal perspective, seeing your business as a powerful part of God’s greater story.
A Challenge to Begin Our Series
Look around your work environment today. Identify one significant item, decision, or resource, perhaps a difficult project, a large investment, or even a stressful deadline that you instinctively treat as your problem or your possession.
Then, pause and ask the Owner: “How would you have me handle this, since it truly belongs to You?”
That single act of surrender and reflection is the spark that transforms your leadership. This foundational view of ownership is the platform for the rest of our series.
Tomorrow, we will tackle Ethical Finance and Resource Management.
Exploring life, one thought at a time.
Yours dearly, Rumishael
0 Comments