listen to him. So he hired a private detective to watch Houghton. When the investigator’s report came back, it revealed that this preacher’s life was above reproach; he was for real. The agnostic went to Houghton’s church, accepted Christ, and later sent his daughter to Moody Bible Institute.
Steward (3623) (oikonomos from oíkos = house + némo = manage, distribute, dispense) (see study of related word oikonomia) is literally the manager or superintendent of a household or estate.
Oikonomos is used 10 times in the NT -- Lk 12:42; 16:1, 3, 8; Ro 16:23; 1Co 4:1, 2; Gal 4:2; Titus 1:7; 1Pe 4:10-note
There are 12 uses in the Septuagint (LXX) - 1Ki 4:6; 16:9; 18:3; 2Ki 18:18, 37; 19:2; 1Chr. 29:6; Esther 1:8; 8:9; Is 36:3, 22; 37:2.
Vincent adds that in the Greek culture the steward was the one who
assigns to the members of the household their several duties, and pays to each his wages. The paymaster. He kept the household stores under lock and seal, giving out what was required; and for this purpose received a signet-ring from his master."
Although stewards usually were slaves or freedmen (former slaves), as Vincent notes many had considerable responsibility and authority. In addition to caring for all the needs of family members, they could be responsible and accountable for household finances and for making sure, for example, that crops were properly planted, cultivated, and harvested. They often had oversight of all other household servants, to provide for them and to assign and supervise their work. They would make sure that those who were sick or wounded were cared for and even dispensed discipline when necessary.
The overseer as "God's steward" does not own the church or the people of the church. But he is in charge of their spiritual nourishment, growth and behavior. God's steward must see that the household of God is cared for and looked after and that their energies and lives are directed to the will of the Master. The steward must do the will of the Master, carrying out His Word without any deviation whatsoever.
The steward was appointed by (cf Acts 20:28, 13:2) and accountable to the owner, the Owner in this verse being God and the "house" being His "sheep", the local body of believers who probably did meet in houses rather than formal church structures.
Because the "overseer" is "God's steward", he is directly accountable to Him and thus he must conform to the highest moral and spiritual standards. Other uses of "steward" (or "stewardship") give us a good picture of what God expects from the overseer. Thus, a steward must not squander what has been entrusted to him (Lk 16:1 16:2), in the present context the care of God's "sheep". Paul described himself, Apollo and Cephas as
servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God" and that "moreover it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy (dependable, reliable, faithful)." (1Cor 4:1 4.2)
So one of the most important characteristic of a steward is faithfulness. (cf Mt 24:45) He must use what his master gives him for the good and glory of his master, and not for himself personally. The idea is that he take scrupulous care of that which was entrusted to him, and give it out to others faithfully and as directed by his master Jesus Christ.
And finally in an exhortation that applies to overseers and to all believers Peter wrote that
As each one has received a special gift (spiritual gift), employ it in serving one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God." (see note 1 Peter 4:10, cf "stewardship of God's grace which was given to" Paul; cp Ephesians 3:2-note).
Wiersbe adds that
The elder must never say, “This is mine!” All that he has comes from God (Jn 3:27) and must be used for God. His time, possessions, ambitions, and talents are all loaned to him by the Lord; and he must be faithful to use them to honor God and build the church. Of course, all Christians ought to be faithful stewards, and not the pastors only! (Wiersbe, W: Bible Exposition Commentary. 1989. Victor)
Bengel adds that
The greater the master is, the greater the virtues required in His servant.
NOT SELF-WILLED: me authade: (Ge 49:6; 2Pe 2:10)
not self-pleased (YLT)
not overbearing (NIV)
not be arrogant (NLT)
not headstrong (Darby)
must not be bossy (CEV)
not pushing himself forward (BBE)
must not be aggressive (Phillips)
must not be obstinately self-willed (Barclay)
not over-fond of having his own way (Weymouth)
not self-willed or arrogant or presumptuous (Amp)
he must not be presumptuous (Moffatt)
Each of the following negative traits is preceded by “not” (Gk = me) and should be considered explanatory of Paul’s fundamental qualification of “above reproach.”
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http://www.preceptaustin.org/titus_17-8.htm#steward
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Greek Word Studies ( - )
Read freely Greek Word Studies from the Austin Precept text commentary of the Bible in text and pdf format. Precept Austin is an online free dynamic bible commentary similar to wikipedia with updated content and many links to excellent biblical resources around the world. You can browse the entire collection of Commentaries by Verse on the Precept Austin website.We have been "bought with a price" to be "ambassadors for Christ" and our "salvation is nearer to us than when we believed" so let us "cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God" "so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming." (1Cor 6:20, 2Cor 5:20, Ro 13:11, 2Cor 7:1, 1Jn 2:28)