Stewardship

In short, it is the work of a steward. What is a steward?

A steward is-via the dictionary:

1. A person who manages the property or affairs for another entity.
2. A ship's officer who is in charge of making dining arrangements and provisions.
3. A flight attendant, especially but not exclusively a male flight attendant. Often as "air steward", "airline steward", etc.
4. A union member who is selected as a representative for fellow workers in negotiating terms with management. [syn:...a shop steward]
5. A person who has charge of buildings and/or grounds and/or animals. [syn: a custodian, a keeper]
   
6. In IT, somebody who is responsible for managing a set of projects, products or technologies and how they affect the IT organization to which they belong.

All these contemporary definitions refer to managing the possessions or properties of another, a 'higher up'. I believe that it implies servanthood. It implies obedience.
The analogy of the Kingdom of God, and our role in it, as his stewards, comes to mind.
Do we view the things we "own" as ours or his?
Do we manage the affairs of this life as if we are to give an account to God at the 'final accounting'?
When I hear the word, I immediately glaze over and lapse into the thinking--"oh no, someone is going to start talking about tithing again".
It is so much more comprehensive than just giving money to the church.
It is how we use the time we have been given to produce fruit for the Master.
Cultivation of our hearts to receive His Words.
Touching others with love.
The fruits of the Spirit.
...and yes, the use of our homes, possessions, time, and *gulp* money--for His Purposes, not simply selfishly.