What identifies a steward? Safeguarding material and human resources and using them responsibly are one answer; so is generous giving of Time, Talent and Treasure.
According to the 1992 U.S. Bishops' Pastoral Letter, “Stewardship: A Disciple’s Response”, a steward is defined as a disciple of Jesus who "receives God's gifts gratefully, cultivates them responsibly, shares them lovingly in justice with others and returns them with increase to the Lord."
Good servants live with joy and gratitude for the blesssings they have received, includingthose that have multiplied through diligence and hard work.
Indeed, good stewards live in communion with Christ, and through Christ and the Spirit, Stirve to return all gifts to the Father " with an increase."
The pastoral letter’s challenge that we embrace stewardship as an expression of discipleship with the “power to change how we understand and live out our lives” continues to engage lay people, religious men and women, priests, deacons, and bishops. This challenge is just as powerful today as in 1992, as a new generation of Catholics is introduced to the biblical concept of stewardship and embraces “the call to follow Jesus and imitate his way of life.”
This pastoral letter has served as an indispensable way to communicate a vision and extend an invitation to Christian people to “grasp the fact that they are no less than ‘God’s co-workers’ (1 Corinthians 3:9), with their own particular share in his creative, redemptive, and sanctifying work.”
We encourage you to read the summary of the USCC Bishops' Pastoral Letter, Stewardrdship: A Disciple's Respoonse at Stewardship | USCCB - https://usccb.org/committees/evangelization-catechesis/stewardship