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110 Bible Verses about Good Stewardship
Think about it: everything we have is really just entrusted to us. It's not truly ours, it belongs to the Lord. That's the core idea of stewardship – caring for and managing what's ultimately God's.
What sets us apart, as stewards of the King of Kings, is understanding that even our very lives aren't our own. As Romans 14:121 reminds us, we each answer to God for how we live.
That's a powerful thought, isn't it? It really makes you want to live with intention, knowing that one day we'll give an account not just for our lives, but for everything we've done here on Earth.
Our intelligence, wisdom, gifts, talents, and knowledge – they're all given to us for a purpose: to show God's love to those around us and to bear fruit for His Kingdom.
At the end of the day, nothing truly belongs to us. Colossians 1:162 puts it beautifully: all things, seen and unseen, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers – all were created by Him, through Him, and for Him. Pretty humbling, huh?
“For it is like a man going on a journey, who summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them.
To one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey.
The one who had received five talents went off right away and put his money to work and gained five more.
In the same way, the one who had two gained two more.
But the one who had received one talent went out and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money in it.
After a long time, the master of those slaves came and settled his accounts with them.
Five of the virgins were foolish, and five were wise.
The one who had received the five talents came and brought five more, saying, ‘Sir, you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.’
His master answered, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave! You have been faithful in a few things. I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master.’
The one with the two talents also came and said, ‘Sir, you entrusted two talents to me. See, I have gained two more.’
His master answered, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave! You have been faithful with a few things. I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master.’
Then the one who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Sir, I knew that you were a hard man, harvesting where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed,
so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.’
But his master answered, ‘Evil and lazy slave! So you knew that I harvest where I didn’t sow and gather where I didn’t scatter?
Then you should have deposited my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received my money back with interest!
Therefore take the talent from him and give it to the one who has ten.
For the one who has will be given more, and he will have more than enough. But the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.
When the foolish ones took their lamps, they did not take extra olive oil with them.
And throw that worthless slave into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
“The one who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and the one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.
If then you haven’t been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will entrust you with the true riches?
And if you haven’t been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you your own?
Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of the varied grace of God.
When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the servant who was over his household, “Bring the men to the house. Slaughter an animal and prepare it, for the men will eat with me at noon.”
There is desirable treasure and olive oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish person devours all he has.
God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply! Fill the earth and subdue it! Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and every creature that moves on the ground.”
He instructed the servant who was over his household, “Fill the sacks of the men with as much food as they can carry and put each man’s money in the mouth of his sack.
So Ahab summoned Obadiah, who supervised the palace. (Now Obadiah was a very loyal follower of the Lord.
Whatever you are doing, work at it with enthusiasm, as to the Lord and not for people,
because you know that you will receive your inheritance from the Lord as the reward. Serve the Lord Christ.
So the palace supervisor, the city commissioner, the leaders, and the guardians sent this message to Jehu, “We are your subjects! Whatever you say, we will do. We will not make anyone king. Do what you consider proper.”
My point is this: The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously.
Each one of you should give just as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, because God loves a cheerful giver.
They handed it over to the construction foremen assigned to the Lord’s temple. They in turn paid the temple workers to restore and repair it.
Pay careful attention to the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds,
for riches do not last forever, nor does a crown last from generation to generation.
supervised the laborers and all the foremen on their various jobs. Some of the Levites were scribes, officials, and guards.
“Do not accumulate for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal.
Thus whenever you do charitable giving, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in synagogues and on streets so that people will praise them. I tell you the truth, they have their reward.
But accumulate for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by how you use worldly wealth, so that when it runs out you will be welcomed into the eternal homes.
But the one who did not know his master’s will and did things worthy of punishment will receive a light beating. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required, and from the one who has been entrusted with much, even more will be asked.
“The one who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and the one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.
But if anyone is deficient in wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without reprimand, and it will be given to him.
Command those who are rich in this world’s goods not to be haughty or to set their hope on riches, which are uncertain, but on God who richly provides us with all things for our enjoyment.
Tell them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, to be generous givers, sharing with others.
In this way they will save up a treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the future and so lay hold of what is truly life.
Evil men borrow, but do not repay their debt, but the godly show compassion and are generous.
For everything there is an appointed time, and an appropriate time for every activity on earth:
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be paid back according to what he has done while in the body, whether good or evil.
Give me a desire for your rules, rather than for wealth gained unjustly.
Turn my eyes away from what is worthless! Revive me with your word!
Therefore I exhort you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a sacrifice – alive, holy, and pleasing to God – which is your reasonable service.
A benevolent person leaves an inheritance for his grandchildren, but the wealth of a sinner is stored up for the righteous.
And the king said to him, ‘Well done, good slave! Because you have been faithful in a very small matter, you will have authority over ten cities.’
“But who am I and who are my people, that we should be in a position to contribute this much? Indeed, everything comes from you, and we have simply given back to you what is yours.
For the one who has will be given more, and he will have more than enough. But the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.
Do not be deceived. God will not be made a fool. For a person will reap what he sows,
because the person who sows to his own flesh will reap corruption from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit.
But above all pursue his kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
A generous person will be enriched, and the one who provides water for others will himself be satisfied.
And do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for God is pleased with such sacrifices.
The one who is gracious to the poor lends to the Lord, and the Lord will repay him for his good deed.
so that you may live worthily of the Lord and please him in all respects – bearing fruit in every good deed, growing in the knowledge of God,
To every man whom God has given wealth, and possessions, he has also given him the ability to eat from them, to receive his reward and to find enjoyment in his toil; these things are the gift of God.
Do not neglect the spiritual gift you have, given to you and confirmed by prophetic words when the elders laid hands on you.
How blessed is every one of the Lord’s loyal followers, each one who keeps his commands!
You will eat what you worked so hard to grow. You will be blessed and secure.
Jesus also said to the disciples, “There was a rich man who was informed of accusations that his manager was wasting his assets.
“The one who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and the one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.
If then you haven’t been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will entrust you with the true riches?
And if you haven’t been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you your own?
No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”
The Pharisees (who loved money) heard all this and ridiculed him.
But Jesus said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in men’s eyes, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly prized among men is utterly detestable in God’s sight.
“The law and the prophets were in force until John; since then, the good news of the kingdom of God has been proclaimed, and everyone is urged to enter it.
But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one tiny stroke of a letter in the law to become void.
“Everyone who divorces his wife and marries someone else commits adultery, and the one who marries a woman divorced from her husband commits adultery.
“There was a rich man who dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day.
So he called the manager in and said to him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Turn in the account of your administration, because you can no longer be my manager.’
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?
Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you not competent to settle trivial suits?
For you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body.
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in him, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Therefore be very careful how you live – not as unwise but as wise,
taking advantage of every opportunity, because the days are evil.
And my God will supply your every need according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
The little bit that a godly man owns is better than the wealth of many evil men,
for evil men will lose their power, but the Lord sustains the godly.
Give a shepherd’s care to God’s flock among you, exercising oversight not merely as a duty but willingly under God’s direction, not for shameful profit but eagerly.
May my words and my thoughts be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my sheltering rock and my redeemer.
And let us take thought of how to spur one another on to love and good works,
not abandoning our own meetings, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and even more so because you see the day drawing near.
For if the eagerness is present, the gift itself is acceptable according to whatever one has, not according to what he does not have.
In everything, treat others as you would want them to treat you, for this fulfills the law and the prophets.
Even young lions sometimes lack food and are hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
Then he said to them, “Watch out and guard yourself from all types of greed, because one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”
The one who steals must steal no longer; rather he must labor, doing good with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with the one who has need.
Tell them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, to be generous givers, sharing with others.
The one who is lazy becomes poor, but the one who works diligently becomes wealthy.
The one who gathers crops in the summer is a wise son, but the one who sleeps during the harvest is a son who brings shame to himself.
And the king will answer them, ‘I tell you the truth, just as you did it for one of the least of these brothers or sisters of mine, you did it for me.’
Pay everyone what is owed: taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due.
The one who tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and whoever takes care of his master will be honored.
So Joseph found favor in his sight and became his personal attendant. Potiphar appointed Joseph overseer of his household and put him in charge of everything he owned.
I do not mean that we rule over your faith, but we are workers with you for your joy, because by faith you stand firm.
Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
and have been clothed with the new man that is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of the one who created it.
Here there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all and in all.
Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with a heart of mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,
bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if someone happens to have a complaint against anyone else. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also forgive others.
And to all these virtues add love, which is the perfect bond.
Let the peace of Christ be in control in your heart (for you were in fact called as one body to this peace), and be thankful.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and exhorting one another with all wisdom, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, all with grace in your hearts to God.
And whatever you do in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
Husbands, love your wives and do not be embittered against them.
Keep thinking about things above, not things on the earth,
“I am sending you out like sheep surrounded by wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.
I will walk in the way of integrity. When will you come to me? I will conduct my business with integrity in the midst of my palace.
Your conduct must be free from the love of money and you must be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you and I will never abandon you.”
You must actively help the hungry and feed the oppressed. Then your light will dispel the darkness, and your darkness will be transformed into noonday.
How can I repay the Lord for all his acts of kindness to me?
I will celebrate my deliverance, and call on the name of the Lord.
So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who belong to the family of faith.
The one who plants and the one who waters work as one, but each will receive his reward according to his work.
For we have brought nothing into this world and so we cannot take a single thing out either.
But if we have food and shelter, we will be satisfied with that.
“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.
How many living things you have made, O Lord! You have exhibited great skill in making all of them; the earth is full of the living things you have made.
Over here is the deep, wide sea, which teems with innumerable swimming creatures, living things both small and large.
with this goal in mind, I strive toward the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Indeed, he who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all – how will he not also, along with him, freely give us all things?
For every wild animal in the forest belongs to me, as well as the cattle that graze on a thousand hills.
I keep track of every bird in the hills, and the insects of the field are mine.
Even if I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world and all it contains belong to me.
To one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey.
Lord, you give me stability and prosperity; you make my future secure.
It is as if I have been given fertile fields or received a beautiful tract of land.
Whoever speaks, let it be with God’s words. Whoever serves, do so with the strength that God supplies, so that in everything God will be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.
And let us hold unwaveringly to the hope that we confess, for the one who made the promise is trustworthy.
Therefore I exhort you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a sacrifice – alive, holy, and pleasing to God – which is your reasonable service.
Be devoted to one another with mutual love, showing eagerness in honoring one another.
Do not lag in zeal, be enthusiastic in spirit, serve the Lord.
Rejoice in hope, endure in suffering, persist in prayer.
Contribute to the needs of the saints, pursue hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse.
Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty but associate with the lowly. Do not be conceited.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil; consider what is good before all people.
If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all people.
Do not avenge yourselves, dear friends, but give place to God’s wrath, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.
Do not be conformed to this present world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may test and approve what is the will of God – what is good and well-pleasing and perfect.
Your loyal followers trust in you, for you, Lord, do not abandon those who seek your help.
For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity to indulge your flesh, but through love serve one another.
I thank my God every time I remember you.
since you are encountering the same conflict that you saw me face and now hear that I am facing.
I always pray with joy in my every prayer for all of you
because of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now.
Remove falsehood and lies far from me; do not give me poverty or riches, feed me with my allotted portion of bread,
lest I become satisfied and act deceptively and say, “Who is the Lord?” Or lest I become poor and steal and demean the name of my God.
Whatever you are doing, work at it with enthusiasm, as to the Lord and not for people,
And all these things are from God who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and who has given us the ministry of reconciliation.
In the same way, let your light shine before people, so that they can see your good deeds and give honor to your Father in heaven.
The spirit of the sovereign Lord is upon me, because the Lord has chosen me. He has commissioned me to encourage the poor, to help the brokenhearted, to decree the release of captives, and the freeing of prisoners,
I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; I will be overjoyed because of my God. For he clothes me in garments of deliverance; he puts on me a robe symbolizing vindication. I look like a bridegroom when he wears a turban as a priest would; I look like a bride when she puts on her jewelry.
For just as the ground produces its crops and a garden yields its produce, so the sovereign Lord will cause deliverance to grow, and give his people reason to praise him in the sight of all the nations.
to announce the year when the Lord will show his favor, the day when our God will seek vengeance, to console all who mourn,
But whoever has the world’s possessions and sees his fellow Christian in need and shuts off his compassion against him, how can the love of God reside in such a person?
One person is generous and yet grows more wealthy, but another withholds more than he should and comes to poverty.
A generous person will be enriched, and the one who provides water for others will himself be satisfied.
My point is this: The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously.
Each one of you should give just as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, because God loves a cheerful giver.
And God is able to make all grace overflow to you so that because you have enough of everything in every way at all times, you will overflow in every good work.