Teaching Children the Biblical Concept of Stewardship
Teaching Children the Biblical Concept of Stewardship
The biblical concept of stewardship encompasses the management of resources entrusted to individuals by God, including their time, talents, and material possessions. Teaching children this concept is rooted in biblical teachings that emphasize the importance of parental guidance and instruction [1, 2].
The Bible underscores the role of parents in instructing their children in the ways of God. Deuteronomy 31:12-13 and Proverbs 22:6 highlight the importance of teaching children God's laws and commandments from a young age. Parents are encouraged to bring their children to Christ, train them up for God, and instruct them in God's word [1, 2].
The concept of stewardship is closely tied to the idea of parental responsibility. Parents are seen as stewards of the children entrusted to them, responsible for guiding them in their spiritual development. This involves not only teaching them about God's laws but also modeling godly behavior and providing a nurturing environment [2].
In the New Testament, the concept of stewardship is further developed. The parable of the unrighteous steward in Luke 16:1-13 teaches the importance of wise management of resources. According to Matthew Henry, this parable emphasizes the need for believers to be faithful stewards of the resources entrusted to them, using them for the benefit of others [6].
The biblical concept of stewardship also involves the idea of accountability. Parents are accountable to God for the way they manage the resources entrusted to them, including their children. This accountability is reflected in the biblical emphasis on the importance of discipline and instruction in the training of children [5, 7].
The book of Proverbs provides guidance on how to train children effectively. Proverbs 22:6 advises parents to "train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." Matthew Henry interprets this verse as emphasizing the importance of catechizing children and keeping them under discipline [7].
The New Testament also highlights the importance of gentleness and meekness in teaching children. The image of God as a shepherd who gently leads his flock is a recurring theme in biblical literature [4, 3]. This image is reflected in the way parents are encouraged to guide their children with meekness and patience.
In teaching children the biblical concept of stewardship, parents should emphasize the importance of managing resources wisely and being accountable to God. By modeling godly behavior and providing guidance and instruction, parents can help their children develop a deep understanding of stewardship and its role in their lives [1, 2].
The biblical concept of stewardship is not limited to material resources but also encompasses the management of time, talents, and spiritual gifts. Parents should encourage their children to use their gifts and abilities for the benefit of others, reflecting the biblical emphasis on the importance of serving others [6].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Children — Christ was an example to -- Lu 2:51; Joh 19:26,27. Are a gift from God -- Ge 33:5; Ps 127:3. Are capable of glorifying God -- Ps 8:2; 148:12,13; Mt 21:15,16. Should be Brought to Christ. -- Mr 10:13-16. Brought early to the house of God. -- 1Sa 1:24. Instructed in the ways of God. -- De 31:12,13; Pr 22:6. Judiciously trained. -- Pr 22:15; 29:17; Eph 6:4. Should Obey God. -- De 30:2. Fear God. -- Pr 24:21. Remember God. -- Ec 12:1. Attend to parental teaching. -- Pr 1:8,9. Honour parents. -- Ex 20:12; Heb 12:9. Fear parents. -- Le 19:3. Obey parents. -- Pr ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Parents — Receive their children from God -- Ge 33:5; 1Sa 1:27; Ps 127:3. Their duty to their children is To love them. -- Tit 2:4. To bring them to Christ. -- Mt 19:13,14. To train them up for God. -- Pr 22:6; Eph 6:4. To instruct them in God's word. -- De 4:9; 11:19; Isa 38:19. To tell them of God's judgments. -- Joe 1:3. To tell them of the miraculous works of God. -- Ex 10:2; Ps 78:4. To command them to obey God. -- De 32:46; 1Ch 28:9. To bless them. -- Ge 48:15; Heb 11:20. To pity them. -- Ps 103:13. To provide for them. -- Job 42:15; 2Co 12:14; 1Ti 5:8. To rule”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Shepherds — Early mention of -- Ge 4:2. Usually carried a scrip or bag -- 1Sa 17:40. Carried a staff or rod -- Le 27:32; Ps 23:4. Dwelt in tents while tending their flocks -- Song 1:8; Isa 38:12. Members of the family both male and female acted as -- Ge 29:6; 1Sa 16:11; 17:15. Had hired keepers under them -- 1Sa 17:20. The unfaithfulness of hireling, alluded to -- Joh 10:12. Care of the sheep by, exhibited in Knowing them. -- Joh 10:14. Going before and leading them. -- Ps 77:20; 78:52; 80:1. Seeking out good pasture for them. -- 1Ch 4:39-41; Ps 23:2. Numbering them ”
- Isaiah “He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will gather the lambs in his arm, and carry them in his bosom. He will gently lead those who have their young. -- Isaiah 40:11”
- Hebrews “It is for discipline that you endure. God deals with you as with children, for what son is there whom his father doesn’t discipline? -- Hebrews 12:7”
- Luke (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Luke 16:1: We mistake if we imagine that the design of Christ's doctrine and holy religion was either to amuse us with notions of divine mysteries or to entertain us with notions of divine mercies. No, the divine revelation of both these in the gospel is intended to engage and quicken us to the practice of Christian duties, and, as much as any one thing, to the duty of beneficence and doing good to those who stand in need of any thing that either we have or can do for them. This our Saviour is here pressing us to, by reminding us that we are but stewards of the manifold grace ”
- Proverbs (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Proverbs 22:6: Here is, 1. A great duty enjoined, particularly to those that are the parents and instructors of children, in order to the propagating of wisdom, that it may not die with them: Train up children in that age of vanity, to keep them from the sins and snares of it, in that learning age, to prepare them for what they are designed for. Catechise them; initiate them; keep them under discipline. Train them as soldiers, who are taught to handle their arms, keep rank, and observe the word of command. Train them up, not in the way they would go (the bias of their corrupt ”