Thorburn-Sutherland's River Pastoral Charge

God of Word and Wisdom, send us your Holy Spirit as we listen to the witness of your people in the Scriptures. May we claim the story of your redeeming love again, and praise you with our lives through Christ, our Lord and Guide. Amen.

This morning we’re going to talk about part of God’s plan for humans and that part is regarding work. We read about this in our Old Testament lesson from the book of Genesis in which we heard about the creation of the Garden of Eden and the role which man was to have in tending that garden. This is from our reading, “In the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens, when no plant of the field was yet in the earth and no herb of the field had yet sprung up—for the Lord God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was no one to till the ground; but a stream would rise from the earth, and water the whole face of the ground— then the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living being. And the Lord God planted a garden in Eden, in the east; and there he put the man whom he had formed. The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it.”

We see from this that humans were created by God, set in the garden, and invited to take care of it. And all of our work today is a response to that invitation of God. We may not work in a garden, although some of might, but our work is caring for the world and creation that God has made. To care for the earth is to care for what God has made. We are invited to do so wisely, working for God’s purposes, for the flourishing of creation and for fellow humans. We are created for such work. We are called to such work by our creator.

And this passage is not merely an account of creation but serves as a reminder of our purposeful placement in this world by God's intentional design. It speaks to our stewardship over creation, our role in keeping the earth in the way God planned, and our deep connection with all living things. The Garden of Eden stands as a symbol of God's provision and presence, a testament to his desire for humanity to live in harmony with nature and with him.

We are here to tend and keep the garden. We are here to work in God’s Garden. That is the command given at the very beginning, once creation was fully in place and when Adam and Eve received their first instructions from God. We’re told that “The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it.”  We were created to add to life on earth, not just take from it!

It may be hard for many of us to see our work as a response to God’s invitation and as a way of serving our Creator and others. Or, to see that we’re already contributing to God’s provision and care for the world. And many of us, who have retired from full time work, think that, because we are in our retirement years, we’re not required to work any longer. But, as we’ll see, work is a gift and responsibility which is given to us for our benefit and fulfillment. Having completed his creation, God turned to Adam and told him to take responsibility for all animal and plant life. He was to till the ground and tend the Garden of Eden. And we have the same responsibility today, to look after God’s creation.

God's plan for us includes the central principle of work, which is not merely a means to an end, but a calling and a way of life. Work allows us to engage with the world, to shape it and be shaped by it. It is through our labour that we can express our talents and abilities, fulfill our potential, and contribute to the common good. The Bible teaches us that work is part of God's design for humanity; it was given before the fall as a means to cultivate and steward creation. Therefore, work is not a curse but a blessing, an opportunity to partner with God in his ongoing creation and redemption of the world. As we work, even though sometimes it can be very challenging, we must do so with integrity, excellence, and a spirit of service, knowing that our labour in the Lord is not in vain.

And we are God’s co-workers. Not only is God a worker, but we are workers as well.  We’re told in the book of Genesis that man is to have dominion over creation.  We’re also told that Adam was placed in the garden to work it and keep it.  God planted the garden and man cultivated it.  This was a partnership that continues today.  God gives to us, and we manage what we’ve been given.  The Apostle Paul, in his first letter to the Corinthians writes: “For we are God’s fellow workers.” (1Cortinthians 3:9)

Work is part of our mission from God. Indeed, our work is to be seen as an extension of the creative activity of God. God created the world and then put us in it to take care of it. No matter what we do for a living, if we are Christian, whatever our job, it is related to this one task of protecting and developing God’s good creation. Even the most mundane work can serve an important purpose for God and others.

And part of our work is to minister to others. God has a ministry or service for you in his church and a mission for you in the world. When Jesus was on the Mount of Olives, teaching his disciples about future times, this one of the things he told them, “Then the lord will say to those at his right hand, “Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.” Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?” And the king will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” (Matthew 25:34-40)

This passage is the basis for the mission of the Salvation Army. They are right, in that this is important to God and needs to be for us. We were placed here to serve God, through our involvement with people. God has placed us here on earth for a purpose and that is to work in his kingdom. Because, in this fallen world, God intends to use us for his goals. There are many needs all around us and God can help you find purpose in our work for him.

Whatever you do, work completely, as for the Lord and not for men. This is what Paul wrote to the members of the church in Colossae, “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:17) Paul’s message is that your earthly occupation is indeed your ministry within God's creation. Your labour is both sacred and practical; you cultivate and guard, innovate and repair, foster and restore.

As we reflect upon these verses, let us consider our own lives as gardens that require care, cultivation, and respect for all creation. Let us embrace our role as caretakers of this earth, nurturing it as God intended, with reverence for life and an unwavering commitment to preserving its beauty for generations to come.

As you go out from here today, I want you to ask this question. Ask yourself, "Whose needs can I meet today?" Be certain that God will put the opportunities before you. They might be in your family. They might be at your workplace, or school. You might not be able to meet all the need, but you will be able to contribute toward that need. I guarantee you that as you make this your focus for the week, you will know blessings, yourself, that far exceed what you can imagine right now. I guarantee you that you will come back next week with stories to tell about how you saw God working through you to improve the life of someone whose life crossed yours this week.

Let us Pray:

Lord, as we tend to your creation, grant us the strength to be diligent and the wisdom to nurture growth. May our hands be gentle on the earth, our actions reflect your love. Amen