“God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and the birds of the heavens and the livestock and over all the earth and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’
“So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them.
“And God blessed them. And God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.’” Genesis 1:26-28
“In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom and also put it in writing:
“Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he has charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Whoever is among you of all his people, may his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and rebuild the house of the Lord, the God of Israel—he is the God who is in Jerusalem. And let each survivor, in whatever place he sojourns, be assisted by the men of his place with silver and gold, with goods and with beasts, besides freewill offerings for the house of God that is in Jerusalem.” Ezra 1:1-4
From the beginning the Lord God fashioned man to have dominion over the rest of His creation, entrusting His perfect world to man’s care and tending and using for good purposes. He made man with agency, freedom to live and act by will endowed by his creator, under the higher supervision of His providence. He places people to rule kingdoms where the mysterious play of even godless man’s will meshes with God’s sovereignty to perform His bidding. (Psalm 8:3-8)
The holding of power is a gift from God, for His purposes. Created in His image to do works He’s designed and prepared for us, we’re responsible as stewards of His gifts and trust to exercise dominion in ways that please Him and benefit others. Some misuse their power and authority to the dishonor of God and detriment of many, yet choosing God’s good way brings eternal blessing. (Acts 13:36; 17:26-27; Ephesians 2:10)
How do we handle dominion over God’s earth and resources- wastefully and wantonly, or responsibly and efficiently? How do we treat our bodies, temples of God’s Spirit- with casual decadence, or responsible care? How attentively and intentionally do we invest in our families to train and nurture? How are we tending to welfare of people at work and in our communities- with callous disregard, or prayer and service? How are we exercising our spiritual gifts to upbuild the church? Godly stewardship honors the God who entrusted us to manage His gifts wherever we are. (Genesis 18:19; Deuteronomy 6:5-8; Psalm 24:1; Proverbs 22:6; Jeremiah 29:7; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Ephesians 6:1-4)
Lord, teach me responsible stewardship that blesses many and glorifies You.
As the rain and snow 