🕊️ God Gave Us the Earth to Care For, Not to Destroy
🪶 Paths of Hope — Devotional 2: God Gave Us the Earth to Care For, Not to Destroy
Written by Daniel Russell — Nourishing Lives With Grace
📖 God’s Word
“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
📚 The Story
God created a garden full of life — with trees, fruits, rivers, and animals. And He placed human beings there with a mission: to care for the land, cultivate what is good, and protect what is living.
Adam wasn’t called just to live in that place, but to work with purpose — tending creation as a partner of God.
The land wasn’t his. It was a gift from God, entrusted to him to be guarded with love and responsibility.
🌿 Let’s Reflect Together
Imagine someone who receives a beautiful, productive piece of farmland. If that person clears all the trees, burns the soil, dumps trash in the stream, and kills animals for fun, soon everything will be ruined.
But if they care for it with love, the land will bear fruit for many years — and be a blessing to everyone around.
This is the world God created. He gave us the earth to care for, not to destroy.
God made the earth with love. He filled it with rivers, trees, birds, fish, fruit, and seeds — not to be exploited until nothing remains, but to be cared for as part of life itself.
We are not owners of creation — we are stewards. God entrusts the forest, the soil, the waters, and the animals to us as a sacred gift to care for.
Today, many are destroying what God made. But the people of God are called to live differently — as guardians of life.
🔥 What Can We Do?
✔️ Treat the land with respect — it is the work of God.
✔️ Be thankful for the forest, the fish, the seeds, and the food you eat.
✔️ Teach your children and neighbors to care for the land: to plant, to clean, and to protect it.
✔️ Remember: when we care for creation, we honor the Creator.
💬 Question for Conversation
Have you been caring for the land as something that belongs to God?
✝️ Where Do We See Jesus Here?
Jesus is the Son of God who came into the very world He created. He walked dirt paths, climbed hills, fished in lakes, and taught under trees. He did not despise creation — He loved it.
And one day, Jesus will return not only to redeem souls but to renew the physical world — and He will give us a new earth.
Whoever loves Jesus also loves what He made.
🙏 Let’s Pray Together
“Lord, thank You for giving us the earth, the rivers, and the fruits. Forgive us when we act carelessly or destructively. Teach us to live as guardians of Your creation. Give us wisdom to plant, care for, and protect the land. We want our land to glorify You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”
🔍 Other Bible Texts
Genesis 2:15
Psalm 24:1
Leviticus 25:23–24
Romans 8:19–21
Revelation 11:18; 21:1–5
🪶 Paths of Hope — Devotionals from the Amazon A devotional series created by Nourishing Lives With Grace, inspired by daily life among river and indigenous communities in the Amazon.
