Scripture to Read: Genesis 2:15-17
In Genesis 2:15-17, God lays out for us man’s role in the garden and what commands He gave that were to be obeyed. Remember that in Genesis 1:28-29, God gave man authority & dominion over all of creation. But we see here that man’s dominion still comes under the authority of God. God gave us authority, but we still answer to Him for what we do with what He’s entrusted to us. God gave man his calling, and God’s call on man’s life was to work in the garden (to watch over it, take care of it, and be in charge of it). Let’s not miss an incredible point here and that point is that God gave us “work” as a GIFT from Him. We will see how work is a gift from God more completely next week when we see that when man sinned, God did not curse “work,” but God cursed the “ground” so that work became hard. BUT, nevertheless, work is what God has called us to do. Also, when we work, we are to do our work, NOT for men but for God because work is a gift from Him. God makes this truth clear here in Colossians 3:23, Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men. God does not just command man to work, but He tells man to “keep it,” which means to defend it or to keep watch over it. Man was to defend his God-created home and God holds man accountable for his work even still today.
Challenge & Application
1. What did God teach you about work today?
2. How are you fulfilling the work God has designed you to do each day?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!