God’s Steward

Genesis 1:28 Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

A quick lesson that I came across clarifies that there are many Bible passages that speak of animals, but none of them ever speak of any animal having the image or likeness of God. On the other hand, there are many references that insist that God intended for man to “subdue” God’s creation and function as God’s steward of Earth. This includes the protection of the environment and ecosystems that provide the conditions for life on the foundation of godly ecology, not Godlessness. 

Please notice the authority. Man was to “have dominion” over all other life, to “fill” Earth, and “subdue” the planet. All authority is delegated authority—God the Creator is still the Owner. If we are to understand the uniqueness of human life, we must first grasp the significance of this authority of the child of God. The 1828 Webster’s dictionary defines the word “steward” as: (1) A man employed in great families to manage the domestic concerns, superintend. (2) In Scripture and theology, a minister of Christ, whose duty is to dispense the provisions of the gospel, to preach its doctrines and administer its ordinances. (3) To manage Creation as a steward.

Psalm 8:5-8 “For You have made him a little lower than the angels, and You have crowned him with glory and honor. You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet, all sheep and oxen—
Even the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea that pass through the paths of the seas.”

God’s authority is the basis for action. His Word is still the source of ultimate truth. His steward (mankind) is still responsible to the Creator. As we “uncover” the processes of Earth, we are to exercise the delegated authority to “rule” so that we can “fill” the planet that the Creator has designed “to the praise of the glory of His grace”. 

1 Corinthians 4:1-2“Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.”

Life is a gift, so mindfully tend the garden and its inhabitants.

Caretaker for the Lord, have a blessed Saturday.