Steward

Steward (שִׂר, sar, usually rendered "prince; " ἐπίτροπος, οἰκονόμος), one who manages the affairs or superintends these household of another, as Eliezer of Damascus did that of Abraham (Ge 15:2). Great confidence was reposed in those who held such an office, and hence Paul describes Christian ministers as the stewards of God over his Church and family (Tit 1:7). Believers also are described as stewards of God's gifts and graces, to dispense the benefits of them to the world (1Pe 4:10). Our Lord frequently uses the responsibilities belonging to the office of a steward for the purpose of illustrating his reasoning. In the parable of the unjust steward, who defrauds his master by collusion with the debtors (Luke 16), the illustration is confined to the policy of the conduct pursued, and no inference can be drawn respecting its moral propriety. (On the proverbial dishonesty of modern Oriental wakkils or agents of this kind, see Thomson, Land and Book, 1, 517 sq.) The exhortation which follows is merely advice to manage worldly goods with such liberality and generosity as will promote the cause of true piety, Christian charity, and enlightened benevolence, and not to exercise the rights of property too harshly. See the monographs on this passage cited by Danz, Wörterb. s.v. "Lucas," Nos. 76-93.