Eyes to SeeSample

We’ve looked at most of the relationships broken by the Fall—our relationships with God, ourselves, and others. This week, we will look at how our relationship with the world around us is affected by the Fall and Jesus’s redeeming work. It is so easy to focus on having more, doing more, and being more. But God tells us that nothing we have is ours. We are simply stewards of the resources He has given us. This week, we’ll explore how God calls us to participate in His mission in our daily living as people who work, consume, and live in relationship with one another.

When God created the world, He left humans in charge of caring for it, cultivating it, and stewarding it. The problem, of course, is that the Fall broke this relationship, too. Today, we are far from being the good stewards that God intended us to be, and our choices as stewards have direct and oftentimes adverse impacts on the lives of those who live in economic poverty. However, as God redeems all of our relationships, He desires to redeem our relationship with His creation, too—and as He does, we can learn to steward all He has given us for His Kingdom, cultivating a world in which we can all thrive in all aspects of our lives.

Reflect:

• How aware are you of our broken relationship with the created world? Where do you see our relationship with the created world being broken in Genesis 3? How do you experience this broken relationship in your own life?
• What does Romans 8:19-22 tell us about creation? With this in mind, what should our attitude toward the created world be?

Respond:

• How much do you pay attention to God’s command to Adam in Genesis 1 to “rule over” (or manage and
  steward) His creation? Why do you think that is?
• How can you change your consumption habits to become a better steward and better serve impoverished people?

Pray:

We praise You, God, for Your beautiful creation that You have given us to enjoy, care for and manage. I pray for Your protection for those living in extreme poverty who are most vulnerable to the adverse effects of humanity’s poor choices as stewards. Show us ways to change our consumption habits to be better stewards of the world and the resources that You have left in our care. Amen.