Education and Holistic Stewardship

What does stewardship have to do with education?

When we think of stewardship, the first thing that often comes to mind is money. But stewardship concerns not just our bank accounts, but all parts of our lives.

Scott Rodin, president of the Center for Steward Leader Studies, says, “The holistic image of the godly steward then is reflecting our creator God through whole, redeemed relationships on all four levels, glorifying God, and practicing in each the ongoing work of the steward.”

The human life is primarily about relationships, Rodin argues. The four levels of relationships he describes are God, self, neighbor, and creation. By defining stewardship relationally, he clears space for holistic, or whole life, stewardship.

Holistic Stewardship in Scripture

Let’s briefly examine a scriptural basis for holistic stewardship based on these relational categories.

In Genesis 1:1, God created the heavens and the earth. Just a few days later, in Genesis 1:26-31, God created man in his image. People were placed in the Garden to subdue the earth and have dominion…over every living thing (Gen. 1:28). Notice that God didn’t give anything to the man for him to own. Instead, he was to “work and keep it” (Gen. 2:15). The only thing given is the ability and command to get to work. Man did not own creation; he was to steward it.

Job 14:5 says a man’s “days are numbered,” and God has appointed his limits. James 4:14 says that these given days are like a “mist”—they are here, and then they are gone. Again, man does not even control his own lifespan; he is to steward his days.

Think about your possessions. God has entrusted these things to us for the time that we own them to do the best we can with them for the sake of the gospel. We demonstrate our dependence on—and trust in—God by holding loosely to our possessions.

What about your relationships? God has given you parents, a spouse, perhaps children, employers, employees, or friends. These relationships exist to demonstrate the love of Christ. How do you define your identity — as son or daughter, husband or wife, employee or friend? We are all given gifts. Romans 12:5-6 says, “So we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them.” We thus steward our gifts and relationships to build up the body of Christ.

Paul often speaks in terms of his stewardship concerning the gospel. Ephesians 3:2, 1 Timothy 1:4, Colossians 1:25, 1 Corinthians 9:17, and 1 Corinthians 4:2 all point to stewardship of the gospel message that God entrusted to him.

If we have truly submitted to Christ’s Lordship, we even hold our very days with an open hand. Back to James 4:15, “Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.’” We must trust in the sovereignty of God with all the things he has given us.

In other words, God has entrusted us with our time, possessions, relationships, and everything else, and we are to steward these things wisely. A biblical view says we will do the best with what we have for God’s glory.

Holistic Stewardship and Education

What might these principles of stewardship mean for education? Here are four takeaways:

1. We must steward our time and effort.
   God has given the educator and the student the time and the ability to be in the classroom together. Materials have been produced and provided for both teacher and student. These gifts mean both should steward their time and effort to the best of their ability. The educator should give students the best of his time, energy, and effort so his talents are utilized for God’s glory. Students should give their time, attention, and effort to the teacher to learn the necessary material with the time given to them. Both are stewarding their time and talents for God’s glory.
2. We must steward our relationships.
   Our relationships matter—whether teacher, student, principal, or parent—and they allow us to be a witness for the gospel message because of these very connections.
3. Stewardship advances the gospel.
   Stewardship of time and talent leads to a multiplication effect. As the educator teaches (disciples) a classroom of students, they can, in turn, take that gospel message to a world that desperately needs it.
4. Stewardship requires faithfulness.
   Stewardship requires that each give their best efforts in the educational process—not only on the first day of class but with just as much energy and conviction on the final day or any given day in between. Remember that in the Old Testament, sacrificial animals were required to be without blemish. Anything less was unacceptable.

Educators and students need a proper view of Christian stewardship. These examples serve as a starting point for holistic stewardship. God has provided both educators and students the opportunity to engage in the educational endeavor. A holistic view of stewardship requires the best of both people—they should be prepared for growth mentally and spiritually. The student deserves the best effort from the teacher; the teacher deserves the best effort from the student; and God deserves the best effort from both. Stewardship, as we’ve explained, is about more than finances, meaning we give the best of our time, energy, and resources for God’s glory in all that we do.

In Luke 10:16-17, “Jesus called them to him, saying, ‘Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.’”