Characteristics of a good steward
The most outstanding quality of a steward is faithfulness. It is rightly held that faithfulness is the best
virtue in a relationship. Nothing is more noble, nothing more venerable than fidelity. Faithfulness and
truth are the most sacred excellences and endowments of the human mind( Marcus Tullius Cicero).
Faithfulness is truthfulness of oneself(Heb 2:17;3:2,5). God is faithful because he is true to his nature
(Deut7:9).
We ought to be faithful in the service of the gifts or abilities we have been entrusted with (Mt 25:14-30).
We live in the world where there is increasing emphasis on success than the means to the goal. People
today judge more what a person has gained other than how one reached there. Over emphasis on
success may lead to malpractices. There many who believe that the end justifies the means which runs
contrary to the gospel values. It is the Lord who gives the harvest, ours is to faithfully plant. There is an
urgent need for a change of paradigm where the emphasis is placed on the value of the seed as opposed
to the harvest.
Another requirement of a good steward is always to be alert. The alertness entails a sense of
preparedness. We must always be found with our accounts balanced (Lk 12 35-48). The time of the
master’s return remains unknown. It means we must always be doing the intended will of the master.
Further as stewards, we are expected to be wise and making the best use our time. This is probably one
of the greatest failures for human beings. We always think there is a tomorrow which never comes (Eph
515-16). Humanity has time but the problem is how to fill in the hours. Our time on earth is meant for
useful service. The service is rent we pay while here on earth. We must always keep it in mind that our
span on earth is short so there is no moment to do evil.
A story is told of a senior devil who wanted to test the junior devil before commissioning them on earth.
The question was a standard one, “What will you tell humankind once you reach down there?”
The replies were varied. The first answered, “I will tell them there is no God.” This one sadly failed the
exam because human beings though they could deny God deep down they know He is there.
The second replied, “There is no sin.” Our human conscience tells us there is sin. We feel guilty
whenever we wrong others, so this one too failed.
The third one replied, “I will tell humans worry less there is always time.” Is this not the way we think?
There is always time. The way we use our time is paramount in determining our stewardship. We must
always keep it in mind that tomorrow never comes. In life there is no revision.
The Bible thus grounds us on real stewardship exposing the reader to what the master expects of a
servant.
The other fundamental reason for reading the Bible also comes from our self understanding. Human
beings are transcendental beings. We are open to transformation. We are growing towards perfection
(Mat 548). Scriptures serve that purpose of delivering us to our ultimate destiny. We read in 2 Tim 3 16-17,
“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in
righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” Humanity has
its final goal to be righteous (Mat 625-34; 1Tim611-16; 1Pet224-25). We only attained this goal when become
reflection of God. In St. Paul’s understanding we ought to be the word of God ringing out. It’s on this
account that Paul happily proclaims its not I who lives but Christ who lives in me. To be human is
ultimately to be divine. The Bible transforms us because it is a book of values.
Albert Einstein once noted that, it is not enough to teach people a specialty. Through it they may
become a kind of useful machine, but not a harmoniously developed personality. It is essential that
students acquire an understanding of and a lively feel for values. They must acquire the vivid sense of
the beautiful and of moral goodness. Otherwise, they with their specialized knowledge more closely
resemble a trained dog than a harmoniously developed person. They learn to understand the motives of
human beings, their elusions and their sufferings in order to acquire proper relationship to individuals
and the community.
This is a purpose best served by the Bible since it teaches on how to be at peace within ourselves, with
other, and with God. It helps us acquire wholeness, that is, become complete human beings (Col 4 12). In
our daily life we often make a distinction between the learned and the educated. One who’s life is
guided by the scriptures is an educated person since he is at one with his environment.
How does the Bible achieve this goal? It must be realized that the Bible is about real people and events.
It thus depicts historical events that symbolically represent aspects and traits within us. It, therefore,
gives us guidance and parameters within which to conduct our lives.
