Study Guide – Stewardship in Action

Study Guide • Stewardship in Action

Central Thesis

God requires every steward to be found faithful

True stewardship is measured not by what we have, but by how faithfully we manage what God has entrusted.

Introduction

God’s Evaluation Form

Imagine if God handed you an evaluation form. It doesn’t ask about your salary or social status. It has one question: “Faithful or unfaithful?” This is the core of stewardship. We are not owners; we are managers of the gifts God has entrusted to us— our families, our time, our talents, and the gospel itself. In an age that measures success by numbers and visibility, God measures us by our faithfulness.

Notes (Introduction)

Point One

The Requirement of Stewardship: Faithfulness (1 Corinthians 4:2)

The primary requirement for a steward is to be found trustworthy or faithful (Greek: pistos). This is a divine command, not a suggestion. God is not primarily concerned with our brilliance or our results, which are often out of our control. He is concerned with our fidelity to His instructions. Just as a bank teller must be trustworthy with a customer’s money, a Christian must be faithful with the resources God has provided.

Discussion Questions

1) Why do you think God’s primary measure is faithfulness rather than success or results?

2) In what area of your life (time, money, talent) do you find it most challenging to be a faithful steward?

Point Two

The Scope of Stewardship: All of Life (1 Corinthians 4:1)

Paul identifies Christians as “stewards of the mysteries of God.” This means our stewardship extends far beyond just finances. It encompasses every area of our lives. We are called to manage:

Time — How we use the hours God gives us.
Talents — The gifts and abilities He has granted.
Treasures — Our material possessions and resources.
Truth — The gospel itself, which has been entrusted to us.

Every decision we make is an act of stewardship, reflecting our management of what ultimately belongs to God.

Discussion Questions

1) How does viewing your time and talents as something you manage for God change your perspective on how you use them?

2) What does it mean to be a good steward of “the mysteries of God” (the gospel) in your daily life?

Point Three

The Accountability of Stewardship: God is the Judge (1 Corinthians 4:3–5)

Paul makes it clear that there is only one judgment that matters: the Lord’s. The opinions of others are an “insignificant matter.” Even our own self-assessment is unreliable, as our consciences can be flawed. God is the only true judge because He alone sees not only our actions but also the motives of our hearts (Greek: boulē). The final evaluation will happen when Christ returns, and at that time, the faithful steward will receive praise from God.

Discussion Questions

1) How can focusing on God as your only true judge free you from the fear of criticism and the desire for human applause?

2) Why is it possible to do the right thing for the wrong reason? How can we examine our own motives?

Tools

Hebrew / Greek Word Study Table

Word	Language	Reference	Meaning	Contextual Significance
oikonomos	Greek	1 Cor 4:1–2	steward, manager	Christians are household managers of God’s gifts.
pistos	Greek	1 Cor 4:2	faithful, trustworthy	Faithfulness is God’s standard for stewardship.
boulē	Greek	1 Cor 4:5	motives, counsel	God examines intentions, not just outward actions.

Application

This Week

Choose one area of your life to view through the lens of stewardship this week. It could be your schedule, your finances, or a specific relationship. At the end of each day, instead of asking “Was I successful?”, ask yourself “Was I faithful?” Pray for God’s help to manage that area in a way that is trustworthy and brings Him glory.

My stewardship focus & notes