I like the term fruitfulness. Here’s why:

In the beginning, our all-powerful and supremely creative God was pleased to bring into being a world of good things that would not otherwise exist.

And God made man in his own image, as a creative being, and with words of blessing told him to be instrumental in bringing into that world good things that would not otherwise exist — that is, to be fruitful.

Much later, when the Son of God arrived, one of the things he said to his followers was, “By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples” (John 15:8 ESV).

Jesus was not burdening his disciples by this, but indicating how their discipleship would be fulfilled. And this fruitfulness is not a standard to be met but an aspiration to cultivate and pursue as God gives the grace, that is, as he gives his good gifts and presents opportunities to use them for good.

Perhaps it can be said that the purpose of stewardship is fruitfulness, and the result of fruitfulness is (1) greater joy within and among ourselves, and (2) greater glory for the God who made and redeemed us.

Following the Father’s Favor and Forgiveness, the
Faithful Find Fulfillment and Felicity
Freely Fostering Fruitful Fellowship while
Firmly Foreseeing their Fantastic Future.

(1 John 1:3; John 15:1-17, 17:13; Romans 12:6; 1 Peter 4;10; 2 Peter 1:8; Heb. 10:24; 2 Cor. 5:15)