Responsible STEWARDSHIP begins with me. 

By Msgr. John Wynand Katende

Posted on: Friday 2nd October 2026

A responsible steward is a person who takes good care of something that belongs to someone else.  In Matthew 21:33-43, Jesus takes up Isaiah's vineyard imagery to express that those God has “cultivated” are expected to bear fruits of faith, justice, mercy, and righteousness (Isaiah 1:5-7). Religious leaders must recognize they are not allowed to rule over God’s people as they see fit, but to exercise their knowledge and resources to shepherd them in accordance with the principles He has put forth.

Responsible stewardship begins with me and my daily choices. I will be a responsible steward when I spend my life and time on things that matter and help others. I will be a good steward of talents and resources when I manage them with honesty and generosity, to serve my family and community. (Romans 14:12).

Parents act as managers for God, who is the ultimate creator and owner of every child. Their primary goal is guiding children toward their eternal relationship with God rather than focusing solely on worldly success.

As Christians, we have received life by the favor of God, though we do not deserve it and could not possibly earn it. I will be a responsible steward of all these by putting God first, voluntarily worshiping and tithing, for the salvation of the world.

Genesis 2:15 reveals that humans are created to be workers according to God’s plan, for the provision of all. We are to guard, nurture, and protect creation, not in a domineering, selfish, and exploitative manner, but by preserving it for current and future generations. As stewards, we need to think of these activities not only in terms of beneficial products and results, but also in terms of impact on others

Responsible stewardship of God’s creation demands attention to those that are close to His heart, namely, the orphan, the widow, the vulnerable, and the oppressed. We must wisely ensure that creation bears enough fruit for all to eat, clean air for all to breathe, pure water for all to drink, etc. So, we must repent for the sins of land degradation, extinction of species, air and water pollution, dumping of chemicals and toxins.

Because Jesus is creator and Lord over earth, Christians cannot separate their relationship to Him from how they act in relation to what He has made. We cannot claim to love Christ while abusing the earth, His inheritance (Hebrews 1:2). Every Christian possesses both natural talents and spiritual gifts, for the building sustenance of God’s Church. "The promotion of the practice of stewardship is important for the mission of the Church and for the spiritual well-being of each individual Christian.  Everyone benefits from the sacrificial gift one makes of time, talent, and treasure."- Pope Benedict XV

Christians share in liberating creation in order to bring about the fullness of the kingdom of God. Today we commemorate St. Francis of Assisi as a role model for Christian stewardship of God’s creation. He believed that nature and what it represented was the “mirror of God.” Francis viewed all natural elements as his literal brothers and sisters because they shared a common Creator.

Pope Francis named his landmark 2015 environmental encyclical, “Laudato Si” after St. Francis's opening line in the Canticle, promoting the idea that caring for the earth and caring for the poor are completely connected. As a steward and a disciple of Christ, St. Francis viewed all people with love and respect. St. Francis has influenced our faith and our practice of it.

Finally, we understand that the creation itself is being renewed and reconciled to God by Christ, the responsible steward par excellence (Romans 8:19-21). He faithfully managed, protected, and executed the will and resources of God the Father. Jesus completely submitted His personal desires to the plan of God by carefully nurturing and protecting His disciples. Jesus faithfully delivered the message of the Kingdom of God without compromise, passing it on perfectly to His followers to continue the mission (Matthew 28:19).