A steward must be faithful (1.Cor 4:1-2)

Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy. (1.Cor 4:1-2)

In Matthew 25, Jesus told a parable of a man who went away on a journey, and entrusted a sum of money to each of his servants:

For it is just like a man about to go on a journey, who called his own slaves and entrusted his possessions to them. To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey. Immediately the one who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and gained five more talents.In the same manner the one who had received the two talents gained two more. But he who received the one talent went away, and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money. (Mat 25:14-18)

It is with such a slave Paul compares himself. He has been entrusted by his master with something that is not his  own. Not money, but something far more valuable. He has been entrusted with the mysteries of God. The saving message of the Gospel, that the prophets before him, and even the holy angles had longed to look into. His mandate was to go out and create increase by preaching it. And he did so knowing that just as the master in Jesus’ parable, his master would return and there would be a settling of the accounts. “it is required of stewards that one must be found trustworthy”.

Now after a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. The one who had received the five talents came up and brought five more talents, saying, 'Master, you entrusted five talents to me. See, I have gained five more talents.' His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful slave You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.' Also the one who had received the two talents came up and said, 'Master, you entrusted two talents to me. See, I have gained two more talents.' His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.'

And the one also who had received the one talent came up and said, 'Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you scattered no seed. And I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.' But his master answered and said to him, 'You wicked, lazy slave, you knew that I reap where I did not sow and gather where I scattered no seed. Then you ought to have put my money in the bank, and on my arrival I would have received my money back with interest. Therefore take away the talent from him, and give it to the one who has the ten talents.’ For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away. Throw out the worthless slave into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matt 25:19-30)

A steward must be found trustworthy, Paul said. What God has entrusted you with is a serious matter. It is your responsibility to steward it in a way that will bring increase. Digging it down is considered treachery.

This being said, do not fall into the trap of comparing your investments and increase with others. The one entrusted with five talents made five more, the one with two talents made two, and they were both considered faithful. Furthermore there are different ways to steward the talents God has given. Even putting it in the bank for interest would have been acceptable.

So you want to be careful of having too much of an opinion of the investment plan of your fellow servant. God is his master, not you. And his calling might be very different from yours. Also be careful of letting others impose their stewardship on you, so you don’t have to make the same sad confession as the bride of king Solomon:

They made me caretaker of the vineyards, But I have not taken care of my own vineyard. (Song 1:6)

A lazy foot may have a strong God-given burden that the body needs to walk, but in stead of doing his job he tries to get the arm to do it for him. When you have a burden for something it usually means it’s your job to do it. Not your job to get someone else to do it.