“God placed the man in the Garden of Eden…to…care for it.” Genesis 2:15 TLB
FIRST, GOD made a man. Then He made a garden and said to the man, “Care for it.” Perhaps you thought work came about as a result of the fall. It’s true, work took on a different meaning at that point, but it’s a mistake to think our first parents had no purpose. From the time Adam and Eve were created, it’s clear that God intended us to be like Him—creative, productive, and invested in tasks that contribute to His purposes. Adam and Eve were put in charge of the garden, and before their selfish decision to disobey God they enjoyed maximum fulfillment in their work. The Bible says: “Out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name” (v. 19 NKJV). The first job in the universe included identifying the nature, gifts, and strength of each creature, and overseeing them. That’s a managerial position! And someone who is busy needs an executive assistant, so Eve was created to be Adam’s “helper.” You need look no further than your Bible to realize that productive work is God’s plan for your life. A job well done is its own reward. It gives you a sense of value, without which you can get depressed. Don’t fall for the media hype that tells you successful people don’t need to work. We were each created to fulfill a purpose in life, regardless of how much money is in our bank account.
Soul Food Reading: 1 Cor 10-11, Matt 2:1-12, Ps 139:1-12, Pro 31:25-27
