Scripture

Our verse for today comes from Genesis 2:15, “Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it.”

Background

Experience will tell you that there are a lot of ways to accomplish the same thing. Maps are filled with alternate routes. Recipes include options for substitute ingredients and different pan sizes. I think every one of my kids puts on and takes off their shirt differently. Many of you start with the right pant leg, and some go with the left, but they all end up where they belong eventually. We realize that the list is endless. But so does our enemy, and he uses this very concept to keep us from where God would have us be in our walk with Him. Satan knows that he doesn’t need to use the same tactic on each of us to get us to fall. He’s focused on the end result; he couldn’t care less how he gets us there. That’s why we’ve got to stick close to Christ and His Word, seeking Him daily and leaning on His grace. One particular method Satan seems to employ with much success is taking what God has called good and twisting it so that we no longer view it as our Maker does.

Application

Consider work, for instance. In God’s design, we were made to tend and keep what He had created and given to us. It involved effort and care and led to providing for others and gratitude for opportunity. But how many of us have this mindset that we were intended to take with us each morning? Our jobs can be a drudgery that we dread going to each day. Or, they can be all-consuming, taking the place of other things in our life, trying to fulfill what they were not meant to fulfill. Satan doesn’t care. He’ll take it either way, as long as our attitude is warped and our time and attention are used up somewhere other than in service of the Lord. He does the same thing with tithing. We might place a tip in the plate or give our ten percent to the penny, but as long as we give without worshipping the Giver, Satan’s wishes are granted. The blessing of giving from the heart and surrendering your control of earthly possessions is replaced by something that is unpleasant for God to behold. So, pay attention, to your heart and everything else. It matters how you get to where you’re going.

Charge

As we seek Him today, let the good from God that comes your way be enjoyed just as He intended. Thank Him for each turn of the day, and give back to Him what He desires of you.

Salvation – Eternal Life in Less Than 150 Words