God made the earth, and he planted a garden in Eden. It was full of trees “pleasing to the eye and good for food.” And it was in that garden he put man in order to “work it and take care of it.” (Genesis 2)
God specially designed this garden, which means he knew the work that would be involved to keep it nice and thriving. He put man in this beautiful place to do the work.
At the start of Genesis, we see God doing his work (creating), then giving man his own work to do within God’s creation (taking care of the garden). Man was created in the image of God, and working reflects that.
Sometimes in our lives, work seems like an obligation, a bore, a chore or something that consumes our time, but God created us to work. When we work, we reflect God’s image and God’s glory by stewarding what is in our hands. Even if you don’t own the company or feel passionate about your daily tasks, you are honoring God when you do the work set before you.
How does the work you do produce both provision and beauty that reflects God’s greatness?
The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.
Genesis 2:15 (NIV)
Jules Conrad 