
Stewards Not Owners By Dr. Zenet Maramara

Life as a Steward, Not an Owner
Embracing the role of a steward instead of an owner and the one in control of my destiny marked a profound paradigm shift in my life, altering its trajectory and transforming my approach to work. Surrendering everything to the one true Owner brought liberation—I no longer carried the burden of doing everything alone. Instead, I discovered freedom and joy in relying on God.
Letting Go
Letting go of control is empowering. It allowed me to focus on my responsibility as a steward while witnessing how God took care of the outcomes. As Proverbs reminds us,
“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”
Proverbs 19:21
Practicing the posture of steward vs. Owner is humbling. It challenges our natural pride and the ego-driven belief that we are in control, masters of our destiny. This is why surrender and humility are the first steps on a steward’s journey. From there, the adventure begins—learning to trust God and depend wholly on Him. Even in seasons of uncertainty and ambiguity, we can place our faith in the One who works all things for the good of His people and the manifestation of His glory.
A Workplace Led by Stewards
What would our workplace look like if it were led by stewards instead of owners who dominate and control?
In such a setting, God’s agenda would take precedence. People would be valued and loved, not treated as mere tools to achieve goals. Collaboration would replace competition, as everyone looks out for the interests of others.
Every worker would focus on faithfully fulfilling their responsibilities with excellence, leading to high productivity. Power and privilege would be shared, creating an atmosphere of trust and mutual respect. Most importantly, God would be glorified in all that is done.
“Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baka, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion.”
Psalm 84:5-ff
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Dr. Zenet Maramara is the founder and president of Christian Stewards and the head of the Commission on Stewardship and Generosity of the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches.
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