I still remember when one of my former professors in Economics once told me, “Randell, you’ve been entrusted with something great—don’t waste it.” That word has stayed with me all these years. You see, when we think of stewardship, most of us immediately think of money, budgeting, or managing our household resources. And yes, that’s part of it.

But stewardship is much bigger. At its core, stewardship simply means managing something valuable that has been entrusted to you by another. It’s not ownership—it’s responsibility. And when it comes to the Christian life, stewardship goes beyond pesos and centavos. It’s about stewarding what matters most: souls, the gospel, and the spiritual growth of God’s people.

That’s why I believe discipleship is the highest form of stewardship.

Discipleship as Entrusted Responsibility

“This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.”
— 1 Corinthians 4:1–2 (ESV)

The Apostle Paul reminds us that we are not owners—we are stewards of the mysteries of God. Everything we have, everything we do, and everyone we lead is not ultimately “ours.” They belong to God, and He has entrusted them to our care.

As pastors, leaders, parents, or mentors, our goal is not recognition or applause but faithfulness. At the end of the day, God is not going to ask us how popular we were, but how faithful we were with what He entrusted to us.

Stewardship of People, Not Just Programs

“…shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly.”
— 1 Peter 5:2 (ESV)

Discipleship is not about building big events or impressive programs—it’s about investing in people. Jesus Himself modeled this. He didn’t build a megachurch; instead, He poured into twelve disciples, walked with them, taught them, and empowered them.

When Jesus gave the Great Commission, He didn’t say, “Go therefore and hold services every Sunday,” but rather:

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
— Matthew 28:19 (ESV)

Programs are tools, but people are the priority. As ministers, parents, leaders, or disciplers, we are not managing events—we are stewarding souls.

Stewardship of the Gospel Message

“…what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.”
— 2 Timothy 2:2 (ESV)

Paul teaches Timothy that the gospel is not his to change, edit, or keep for himself. It’s something entrusted—a treasure handed down to be guarded and passed on. Discipleship is the stewardship of this treasure.

As leaders, we don’t own the message. We don’t improve it. We don’t water it down to make it more palatable. We faithfully hand it to others who, in turn, will pass it on. Stewardship means protecting the gospel and multiplying it in the lives of others.

Stewardship of Time and Example

Discipleship isn’t just about what we teach—it’s also about how we live. The truth is, discipleship is more caught than taught. People watch us. They see how we spend our money, how we treat our family, how we handle stress and success.

Paul boldly says:

“Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.”
— 1 Corinthians 11:1 (ESV)

That means our stewardship isn’t only about resources or words—it’s about our very lives. We must manage our habits, choices, and character in such a way that others see Christ in us. That’s both a privilege and a great responsibility.

Eternal Accountability

At the end of it all, stewardship is about accountability.

“Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account.”
— Hebrews 13:17 (ESV)

One day, we will stand before God and give an account—not just of how we handled money, but how we stewarded His people, His Word, and our very lives. Discipleship is not optional; it’s the heartbeat of God’s mission.