Rhythms of Stewardship

The Bible begins with a beautiful poem about the Lord God creating all things, designating days, and calling creation ‘good’ (Genesis 1:4, 10, 12, 18, 21, 25); and at the end, going even further to call everything (including humanity) ‘very good’ (1:31). As we discern stewardship moving forward, I want us to consider a few different things based on the goodness of creation and one more day.

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1. Goodness gracious - the adjective (descriptive word) God gives to creation during Genesis 1 is ‘good.’ In the Hebrew this is the word tov (pronounced t - ōv) which is used not only multiple times to create rhythm, it also establishes a difference. Creation is good; and not bad (the Hebrew for which is ra [maybe a jab at the Egyptian sun god by the same pronunciation?]) This can mean for us that God had a good intention for something when it was put in place. (What that is for mosquitoes, I have no idea) And because everything was called good, there is space for grace to be found as creation continues to cycle and not everything will live in harmony together.

2. Not Peaceful - While we want to idealize the garden of Eden, and the earth in this first creation story, to say that it was peaceful doesn’t have the evidence to back it up. Consider God’s creation of the earth, we’re told that it happens. My mind goes not to a kid building with block (which isn’t always peaceful in its own way); rather I picture a volcanic eruption meeting the sea and how new earth is created and yet, it’s got a wildness to it. When we look at creation, some creatures eat other creatures. And some eat plants. Some give warning signs that they don’t like other things coming near and that they would rather have their solitude. Some are like armies that march against invaders when they feel like their homes are being attacked. There is, however, a sense of purpose and place to creation! Consider that if we didn’t have insects (ants and cockroaches) the amount of trash and decay would take much longer; when in normal rhythms these creatures help process the death of creation and produce nutrients for the earth to grow again! Or sharks and lobsters of the sea, since they fulfill a similar function.

3. Not Perfect - Nor is creation perfect. How do we know? Well first off, there really isn’t a singular Hebrew word for it. Second, most of the time that the concept of ‘perfection’ is brought up, God is the subject; not humanity or anything else in creation!

With creation ongoing, we are caught up with the divine purpose of living in and helping to tend this good creation that needs some understanding of harmony and grace. Which brings us to our last point to consider: what rhythm is there for us to have? Are we supposed to work every day? Is there a perfection we are striving toward? Let’s handle these in order.

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“God saw that everything he had made, and indeed, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day. Thus, the heavens and the earth were finished and all their multitude. On the sixth day God finished the work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all the work that he had done. So, God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it, because on it God rested from all the work that he had done in creation” (Genesis 1:31-2:3)

The rhythms of life we find here are of work and rest, as well as night and day. For 6 days God creates and then on the 7th God rests. Later in Exodus, after God’s people have been liberated from slavery one of the commandments is to ‘honor the Sabbath (7th) day and keep it holy…’ (20:8) Why? Because like God, we are not machines, nor are we slaves. We like God need to balance work and rest, creating and tending creation and resting from those labors. Why?

Because God did it, to show us that it is a good thing to have rest and appreciation of creation! Next, when God describes a day, it is ‘evening and there was morning.’ Perhaps God wants us to know that while the Sun rises and sets; it does work then rests, maybe (just maybe) we need to be reminded that we need rest too in order to work. What do most of us do at night? Sleep/Rest! Then we get up. I think God does this so that we remember to find a balance of rest and work.

Are we striving for a perfection of some kind? God made things good and called all creation ‘very good;’ not perfect. What if we are called to be stewards to keep the goodness of life going? Thinking of perfection distracts us from the ongoingness of life! Stewardship is not a one and done thing; rather it is part of our lives. And so is our work with God to help care for creation and each other. While we strive toward Christ, none of us are perfect and I don’t think we can become or sustain perfection (even if it were achieved) because creation is going on and on ever adapting.

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As we move forward, I encourage you to consider the rhythms of your time. Don’t think in hours, minutes, or seconds, or even days. Rather, consider times of work and rest, and rest and work. Consider how you steward your time by the rhythms of your life. What time do you spend with loved ones and friends? What time do you labor? What time do you rest? What time do you enjoy life?!?