Given, Not Owned" by Jennifer Nelson
Genesis 1:28–31; Genesis 9:8–17
Have you ever given someone a gift that meant something to you, something you chose with care, and watched them discard it without a second thought? Maybe it was a toy your child begged for, which ended up broken in a corner, or a cherished item left crumpled and forgotten. That moment of disappointment touches something deep within us. We gave it freely, hoping it would bring joy, be cared for, and perhaps even treasured.
I imagine God must feel the same way when God looks at how we treat the earth.
In Genesis 1:29-30, God says clearly, “See, I have given you…” not just to humanity, but to “every beast of the earth, every bird of the air…everything that has the breath of life.” We often stop at verse 28, the verse about dominion and subduing. But the full picture God paints in Genesis 1 is not of ownership, but of gift-giving, a gift to all living things.
Dominion was never meant to be domination. It was always meant to be stewardship. We are not owners; we are caretakers.
Genesis 9 reaffirms this when God makes a covenant, not only with Noah and his descendants, but with every living creature. God promises never again to destroy the earth, and in doing so, reveals God's ongoing relationship with creation in its entirety. It’s not a one-sided deal. We, too, have a role to play in upholding that covenant.
My theology has shifted recently. I used to view creation as the stage for the human story, a backdrop to our drama of salvation. But I’m learning to see creation not as lesser, but as beloved, as part of God's healing, saving, creative work. Salvation is not just spiritual; it's ecological. Redemption doesn’t stop with us; it extends to all of creation.
God created us in God's image, and that means we are called to be creative, not destructive. Healing, not harming. Blessing, not burdening.
A Word of Hope
The good news is this: even when we fall short, God's covenant holds. The rainbow still appears. The earth still gives. And we still have the chance to do better.
A Call to Action
So, what will you do with this gift? Will you treat it as precious, as something to nurture and protect? Will you plant a tree, reduce waste, support local growers, or teach your children to respect the earth?
This week, do one thing to honor the gift of creation: Pick up trash in your neighborhood, switch to reusable bags, or support a local environmental effort.
Because God has given us something beautiful.
And it’s time we started treating it like the treasure it is.
Prayer
Creator God, thank you for the beauty and abundance of your creation. Forgive us for the times we have neglected your gift. Renew in us a heart of care, creativity, and commitment. Help us honor your covenant, not just with us, but with every living creature. Amen.
Have you ever given someone a gift that meant something to you, something you chose with care, and watched them discard it without a second thought? Maybe it was a toy your child begged for, which ended up broken in a corner, or a cherished item left crumpled and forgotten. That moment of disappointment touches something deep within us. We gave it freely, hoping it would bring joy, be cared for, and perhaps even treasured.
I imagine God must feel the same way when God looks at how we treat the earth.
In Genesis 1:29-30, God says clearly, “See, I have given you…” not just to humanity, but to “every beast of the earth, every bird of the air…everything that has the breath of life.” We often stop at verse 28, the verse about dominion and subduing. But the full picture God paints in Genesis 1 is not of ownership, but of gift-giving, a gift to all living things.
Dominion was never meant to be domination. It was always meant to be stewardship. We are not owners; we are caretakers.
Genesis 9 reaffirms this when God makes a covenant, not only with Noah and his descendants, but with every living creature. God promises never again to destroy the earth, and in doing so, reveals God's ongoing relationship with creation in its entirety. It’s not a one-sided deal. We, too, have a role to play in upholding that covenant.
My theology has shifted recently. I used to view creation as the stage for the human story, a backdrop to our drama of salvation. But I’m learning to see creation not as lesser, but as beloved, as part of God's healing, saving, creative work. Salvation is not just spiritual; it's ecological. Redemption doesn’t stop with us; it extends to all of creation.
God created us in God's image, and that means we are called to be creative, not destructive. Healing, not harming. Blessing, not burdening.
A Word of Hope
The good news is this: even when we fall short, God's covenant holds. The rainbow still appears. The earth still gives. And we still have the chance to do better.
A Call to Action
So, what will you do with this gift? Will you treat it as precious, as something to nurture and protect? Will you plant a tree, reduce waste, support local growers, or teach your children to respect the earth?
This week, do one thing to honor the gift of creation: Pick up trash in your neighborhood, switch to reusable bags, or support a local environmental effort.
Because God has given us something beautiful.
And it’s time we started treating it like the treasure it is.
Prayer
Creator God, thank you for the beauty and abundance of your creation. Forgive us for the times we have neglected your gift. Renew in us a heart of care, creativity, and commitment. Help us honor your covenant, not just with us, but with every living creature. Amen.
Posted in Mid-Week Devotional
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