According the Latter-day Saints, the word “Stewardship” refers to the responsibility that is given through the Lord to act in behalf of others. This understanding is based on the belief that all things ultimately belong to the Lord, no matter what they are. This includes land, time, talents, families, etc. When a member of the Church is extended a calling, they then act for the Lord as a trustee and not out of a personal ownership or privilege. Callings, which are received as a stewardship from the Lord, are temporary responsibilities.

Due to the difference in required time, talents, service of different callings, there may be times when a member of the Church may hold more responsibility than at other times with different callings. Even though it is required of members through their callings to sacrifice their time and talents to benefits others, most report, at the release of their callings, that they have personally grown and benefited. Despite the major differences between callings, every calling is important. Through service, members are able to grow together and build a sense of community and comfort. The ideal attitude toward stewardship suggests that it is not at all what the position is that is held, but how well the work is done that truly counts.

Faithful and devout stewards seek a thorough understanding of their required responsibilities and a knowledge of the Lord’s will concerning them and their callings. In most callings a person who holds a stewardship reports to an immediate superior. This is seen when a ward Relief Society President reports to the bishop of her ward, who then in turn reports to the stake president.

Stewards are to be held accountable for their works and will also be judged by the Lord. In D & C 82:3 it reads,

“For of him unto whom much is given much is required; and he who sins against the greater light shall receive the greater condemnation.”

The Lord knows the desires, intentions, and talents of every one of his children. Those who act in faith and are wise in their stewardships will be rewarded, while those who act in an unjust manner or are solthful, will not gain much and may even lose what he already has. In Matthew 25: 14-30 we read about such cases in the Parable of the Talents,

“For the kingdom of heaven is as a man traveling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.,But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money.,After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”