People lacking stewardship are negligent, wasteful, and careless with the resources and assets under their care.  They squander resources by neglect or deliberate disregard.

Enemies of Stewardship:

  • Ownership:  Ownership, taken too far, disables effective stewardship.  When we see the possessions, skills, and resources in our lives as only ours, we will be greedy in how we manage them.
  • Pride:  We are unable to steward well when we are obsessed with how our decisions affect our accomplishments.  Pride keeps us from investing in people and situations that may not immediately improve our personal lives.
  • Ignorance:  Good stewards can only be as effective as the knowledge and wisdom that inform their decisions.  Ignorance of the facts, whether by neglect or willing disregard, can render good management impossible.

Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.”  Proverbs 13:11 (ESV)