Stewardship isn't a subcategory of the Christian life. Stewardship is the Christian life. After all, what is stewardship except that God has entrusted to us life, time, talents, money, possessions, family, and His grace? In each case, He evaluates how we regard what He has entrusted to us and what we do with it.— Randy Alcorn
Stewardship is a deeply biblical principle, emphasising responsibility and care of the resources and gifts God provides. Right from the Garden of Eden, we are introduced to a God who desires His gifts to be thoroughly appreciated, enjoyed, preserved, and multiplied. In every Gospel account, the parables of Jesus emphasise that the King expects His people—His children, servants, and subjects—to attend to His gifts and return them with increase to Him.
In 2 Timothy 1:5, Paul makes a brief but meaningful mention of a woman who embodied this virtue in a remarkable way:
"I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well."
This single verse not only illuminates the spiritual lineage in Timothy’s family but also serves as a testament to Lois's role in stewarding the faith that blossomed in her descendants.
Lois' stewardship was primarily spiritual. She nurtured faith within her household, passing it down to her daughter and later to her grandson, Timothy. This intergenerational transfer of faith highlights a crucial aspect of Christian stewardship: the duty to cultivate and pass on spiritual wisdom and understanding.
Lois's example teaches that stewardship involves ensuring that the invaluable treasure of faith is not buried or neglected but instead invested in others, yielding growth and spiritual maturity. This verse suggests that Lois played a significant role in Timothy’s early religious education, laying the foundation for his future ministry.
As a steward, Lois not only taught Christian doctrines but, more importantly, lived them out. Her living testimony was a powerful form of stewardship because it transformed abstract beliefs into observable, tangible acts of faith, love, and devotion. Such stewardship is vital because it deepens the impact of verbal instruction and demonstrates the authenticity of the Christian life.
Lois also represents the crucial role that women played in the early Christian church, often as unsung heroes in the stewardship of the faith community. Despite cultural restrictions, women like Lois nurtured faith from the home outward, providing a foundation for the church’s growth. Her example serves as an encouragement for women to embrace their roles as stewards, irrespective of their positions within the church and society.
The faith Lois stewarded had a ripple effect beyond her immediate family. Timothy became a key figure in the early Church, heavily influenced by the faith instilled in him by Lois and Eunice. This illustrates the expansive impact of diligent stewardship, reminding us that an investment in a single person—a child, sibling, nephew, niece, neighbour, or colleague—can multiply and extend to touch countless lives across generations and geographies.
As we reflect on Lois's legacy, we are reminded that we are called to manage not only material assets but also the rich, intangible gifts of faith and spiritual knowledge. Her life challenges us to consider how we are stewarding the gifts God has placed under our care. May we be encouraged to live out and pass on our faith and its timeless principles to those around us. May the seeds of faith sown and nurtured in the lives of those God places in our path echo through generations and promote the growth of the Church.