What is another word for “thesaurus”? Roget has given every writer a treasure book for alternative ways of saying the same thing. The usage of words rises and falls in the marketplace of ideas and culture much like the tides ebb and flow. One such word teetering on the edge of relegation is the word stewardship.
Some suggest that it has become “shopworn” and should be replaced by the more trendy word “generosity.”
Don Campbell
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There are definitely words that need to be replaced. Editors have taken on this task in offering new versions of the Scriptures. Out-dated words have been replaced with newer and more currently understandable words that make the biblical text come alive with applicable meanings.
I am not sure that this is the case with the replacement of the word stewardship with the word generosity, however. Non-profits, foundations and denominational offices are interested in “generosity” campaigns or emphases. Generosity campaigns seek to raise funds to accompany dreams and visions. Churches engage in generosity campaigns to encourage giving to new projects, or building needs. Most of the generosity efforts are aimed at raising funds not currently available. And why are the funds not available? Are needed funds not available because constituents are not generous or because, in the case of a congregation, members are not biblical stewards? Will changing the “shopworn” word into the more trendy “generosity” really create a deepening sense of stewarding or just encourage a nominal gift plus a little more for special emphasis?
With over 2,000 verses of Scripture dealing with stewardship stories, demands and examples, an argument can be made for keeping the “shopworn” word stewardship alive and well in our vocabulary. The best of both worlds, in addition, is to keep the word generosity alive and well.
It is generosity that should be the outcome of biblical stewardship. It was his practice of being a godly steward that allowed Joseph to keep a nation from starving. It was the stewarding practices of the Macedonians that sent the offering to the Christians in Jerusalem. It was the stewardship of David that assisted with the wealth that built the temple. It was the stewardship of Paul the tentmaker that allowed him to minister in Ephesus.
Repeatedly it is the promise of God that obedient stewardship would lead to the blessing of a window-opening God. He promises to honor the sower, to reward the generous giver and to flood a steward with his blessings. Generosity is the outgrowth of stewardship. It should not replace the biblical mandate. It should be seen as the action of one whose stewardship practices have been such that generosity is desired and possible.
Generosity may be the “in” word in today’s marketplace. Certainly it should be the desire of every kingdom living believer. But the pathway to being generous begins with the journey of a steward. The journey of a steward begins at the door that was opened as the love of Christ and the grace of God welcome him or her into the kingdom of the Living Lord.
Don Campbell ([email protected]) is stewardship specialist for the Virginia Baptist Mission Board.