Has God given you the world?
In Genesis 1:26, the Word of God tells us that God has made mankind in His image, and He gives mankind the world He has created to rule over. He gave us the fish, the birds, and the animals. When we look at verses 28 through 30, we can see that God blesses mankind and tells him to fill the earth and to subdue it. We have dominion over every living creature. God gave every seed-bearing plant, herbs, and the animals for food. God in essence is telling us that He made us in His image and gave us the world. What does God expect from us? Does that mean we own the earth?
It is Written
Genesis 1:26-30 “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. 28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. 29 And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat. 30 And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so.”
Do we have responsibilities?
There are also Bible verses that reminds us that we have the responsibility to take care of the world that God has given us. In Genesis 2:15 we are told that God put man in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. In Leviticus 25: 23-24 we are reminded that God knows that the land belongs to Him and that humans are just tenants. Instead, humans must provide for its redemption. In Proverbs 12:10 we can see that it is the responsibility of a righteous person to care for the needs of their animals. In Luke 12:48 Jesus explains that much is required from the person who has been given much trust in stewardship. In Revelations 11:18 a warning is given that God will destroy those who destroy or corrupt the earth.
So, we’re giving the world as caretakers. We are stewards, and humans do not own the earth. We manage it on God’s behalf. In the end humanity must answer to God for how they treat all of His creation.
It is Written
Genesis 2:15 “And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.”
Leviticus 25:23-24 “The land shall not be sold for ever: for the land is mine; for ye are strangers and sojourners with me. 24 And in all the land of your possession ye shall grant a redemption for the land.”
Proverbs 12:10 “A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.”
Luke 12:48 “But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.”
Revelation 11:18 “And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.”
Do we have responsibilities towards other Human Beings?
If God cares so much about the earth, can you imagine how He feels about the human beings that He created in His image. We are called to also care for others as we want to be cared for.
It is Written
Mark 12:30-31 “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. 31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.”
Please pray for the world and all of God’s creation in your own words.
Lord God Almighty, I am blessed by Your commandments in your holy Word. It is a blessing to keep your commandments. Please help me and all the believers in Christ, keep all your commandments with love and passion for You. You are our humble and holy God. You love us and have made us stewards over your creation. Help us be good stewards. You have blessed us with peace, grace, and mercy through our Lord Jesus. Lord God Almighty, You deserve our gratitude. You deserve to have our best efforts. Transform us to be more like Jesus. Father, you deserve to have children that are faithful, loving, and passionate towards You. Sanctify us and deliver us from evil so we can love You and honor You our God, and Everlasting Father. Lord God Almighty, be loved and honored by me, my family, friends, and all of Your creation in Christ Jesus name I pray Amen.
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