Eyes to SeeSample

Many of the parables of Jesus depict servants caring for the property of their master. In one such story, the master of a large estate went away and left his employees to care for all he had. What a servant does when the master is away was of no small importance to Jesus. He tells us in Luke 12 that we have been similarly entrusted with the care of this world.

When was the last time you considered that part of your identity as a Christian is that you are a manager of the earth?

Some have interpreted the word ‘rule’ in the Genesis passage above to mean we can do whatever we want with the world. But the fact is that we are managers of someone else’s property; we don’t own anything. We are, therefore, accountable for how we manage the natural world.

We have discussed how sin breaks our relationship with God, ourselves, and others. This week we look at the fourth relationship affected by the Fall: our relationship with the created world. In the book of Romans, we see that the earth is longing for the full restoration of God’s Kingdom and that the effects of the Fall are seen everywhere.

How does this brokenness with creation show up in our world today? War and conflict over land claims, overuse of natural resources, or the island of plastic in the Pacific Ocean. Work, as God indicates in Genesis 3:17, becomes exhausting rather than life-giving, and we face issues like burnout and work addiction in the striving for security amidst scarcity. We are driven to consume, using more and more of the world’s resources, and still not finding satisfaction. The passage in Romans reminds us that the redemption Jesus brings does not simply restore our relationship with God but also our relationship with creation itself.

The Mae Yao River flows in Thailand by the village of Huay Khom. Some years ago, the villagers saw the river polluted, lacking fish, and drying up due to environmental and human factors. The surrounding hills had been clearcut. Then a group of young people from Yaowaraat Church decided they would make a difference. They called themselves the “Karen Youth Water Guardians.” They started a movement to restore the forest and river to change their life and preserve these resources for future generations. Soon children and village elders joined them, planting and tending trees, constructing spawning spots for fish, and managing the water. Almost ten years after they began their work, the community sees turtles and fish reappearing in the river. The trees are now growing tall.

Colossians reminds us that in Jesus, all things were made, and all things hold together, and through Jesus, God is reconciling everything. As God’s redeemed, we have the great honour of stewarding creation, and, as we’ll read tomorrow, our treatment of this world has a lot to do with how the poorest among us fare.

Reflect:

• What does Scripture say about the effects of redemption on the created world? Is this a new thought for you?

Pray:

Lord, You made this world and said that it was very good. You delight in Your creation and long to restore it to Your original intention. Help me respond to Your call to be a wise manager of Your creation, and show me what this looks like and how my actions affect others. Amen.