What does the word steward mean in the Bible?
In Scripture, a steward is a manager of a household or someone in control of something, a meaning linked to the word economy. Paul calls ministers stewards of the mysteries, and a good steward must be faithful. The Old Testament example is Eleazar of Damascus, Abraham's steward.
Les explains that in 1 Corinthians 4:1 Paul says to account of ministers as ministers of Christ and stewards of the mysteries. Les directs us to underline "stewards" and "mysteries" and first define the term. He points back to the Old Testament when God told Abraham he would be the father of a nation, and Abraham asked how, since he had no son and only his steward, Eleazar of Damascus. Les says that steward was a manager. He notes our word economy comes from the same root as steward, meaning someone who is a manager of a household or in control of something. Then in verse 2, Les says if you are going to be the right kind of steward, or a good manager, you have to be faithful.
Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.