Work was part of God's original plan


“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 beginning of the year is a great opportunity to begin reading through the Bible.  Ever do the Bible in a year reading plan?  I have several times. What amazes me each time is how a different verse or passage will stand out each time.  This time around, Genesis 2:15 grabbed my attention. God put Adam in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. Wait a second!  I thought work was part of the curse! Does this mean that work was part of God’s original plan for us?  When the world was perfect and no one had yet sinned, one of our purposes was to work and care for God’s creation.  The curse, which was the consequence of the first sin, just made our work more difficult.  Genesis 3:17-19 reads:

“Curses is the ground because of you;
through painful toil you will eat of it
all the days of your life.
It will produce thorns and thistles for you,
And you will eat the plants of the field.
By the sweat of your brow
You will eat your food
Until you return to the ground,
Since from it you were taken;
For dust you are
And to dust you will return.”

So even though the curse made our work more difficult, work was originally considered a “good” part of God’s plan.

I don’t know if your job is a joy or a burden, or if you find home chores a blessing or a tedious task, but in God’s original design working and taking care of creation was a gift.  

As we begin and continue in this New Year together, let us look at our work, our chores, and our responsibilities with new eyes.  Let us see how work is part of God’s good plan for our lives.  When we get frustrated with the curse aspects of it, let us rejoice in the opportunity we have to care for God’s creation, remembering that there are blessings hidden in disguise!

Lord God, thank you for creating me to work and to care for your creation.  Help me to be motivated this year to give my best at work and to do the chores we have around our home.  Help me to give you my best and to rejoice in what I have. Amen.

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