Genesis 2:15 says “The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.”
It didn’t just end with Adam and it didn’t begin because of the Fall of Man. God created the earth so we could use its resources to do productive and creative things. Could He have created the world in such a way that it would take care of itself? Of course! But He didn’t. He created us (humans) in His image, put us in the Garden (earth), and instructed us to take care of it. He did not say, “It’s yours, do what you want with it.”
If a friend loaned you something, how would you treat it? Most of us were taught to take care of it and return it in either the same or better condition than when we borrowed it. Since God owns everything, shouldn’t we take care of everything the best we can?
He instructs us to care for our belongings, animals, public property, our church, our workplace, economic system and our good name. He even wants us to care for each other. Caring shows respect.
What is God asking YOU to care for?
What can you do to help care for your church? Your Community? Your Neighbor?
How can we encourage one another to do more in showing respect for God’s world?
