January 2, 2026

Business by the Book

Genesis 2:15 And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.

No matter the occupation, each and every person that makes a living by producing goods or services does so by utilizing one or more of God’s natural resources. Don’t believe it? I didn’t either the first time I heard it, but over the years I have come to accept the first sentence of this devotion to be true. The cabinet builder uses wood from the trees God planted. The computer specialist uses precious metals that have been dug out of the earth that God created; they also use electricity, another creation of God, and logic coupled with mathematics which God also designed. A pastor works with people whom God created in the likeness and image of Himself. CPAs - mathematics, pilots – metals, laws of Thermodynamics, electricity and the properties of navigation based on magnetic polarities, doctors – people and the science of anatomy, medicinal properties of Earth’s spices. We could go on and on. Even politicians work with people and the laws of leadership given to them by the Lord God.

The investor invests in businesses that employ people to take God’s natural resources and form them into products for purchase. Someone may ask, “What about people involved in illegal and or immoral enterprises?”  They too use God’s natural resources; they just use them in such a way as to harm instead of benefit. Also, they most often prey on the base needs, wants and desires of mankind in an improper manner. Scientists study His unseen structure and order, Theologians study about Him, His Word, and His Will, and astronauts study the worlds beyond Earth. 

Adam’s work was to dress the garden and keep it. It was God’s garden: He designed it, He planted it, and He gave it to Adam to oversee. In Genesis chapter one the Lord told Adam and Eve to subdue the earth and have dominion over all that is therein. This was a part of their work, it was their responsibility. That responsibility has been passed down from generation to generation and throughout all generations.  The work of our life is to use God’s natural resources in such a way as to benefit mankind and maintain those resources for future generations.  

Dr. William Howe