The word theology means “the study of God.” So, what do I mean when I say the theology of stewardship? Practically speaking, it is what God has to say in His Word about the subject. It is God’s opinion about this subject. Remember, the Bible is not written in encyclopedia form where you can just look up stewardship and find all you need to know in one easy step. God reveals His mind on a subject (including many other things besides stewardship) numerous ways in the Scriptures. - It may be by clear, simple commands. - It may be by principles gleaned from long narratives. - It may be by an example or a character. - It may be by a word definition (rightly defined within a context). When properly studied, developed, and accurately taught, giving truth these various ways is just as binding as a “thou shalt or thou shalt not.” Sometimes it may take putting together these different ways, drawing from several texts and passages to see a concept, idea, or God’s mind on the subject. Defining the term stewardship is relatively simple. Bringing it to life and seeing your life and your people’s lives bound by it is the challenge. How is this done so everyone clearly sees and understands it? You must develop it from Scripture. You must see it flow out of the text.