Stewardship of Creation: A Call to Action

Devotional

Day 1: God’s Creation Is Good and Marvelous

From the very beginning, God’s creative act brought order out of chaos, separating the waters, forming the sky, and gathering the seas so that life could flourish. This is not just a story of origins, but a hymn of praise and a call to wonder at the sacred gifts of sea and sky that surround us each day. Every sunrise and every breath is a reminder that creation is a holy ground, entrusted to us by a loving Creator who declared it all “good and marvelous.” [16:02]

Genesis 1:1-10 (ESV)
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day. And God said, “Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.” And God made the expanse and separated the waters that were under the expanse from the waters that were above the expanse. And it was so. And God called the expanse Heaven. And there was evening and there was morning, the second day. And God said, “Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear.” And it was so. God called the dry land Earth, and the waters that were gathered together he called Seas. And God saw that it was good.

Reflection: When you step outside today, pause to notice the sky above and the earth beneath your feet. How does recognizing them as sacred gifts from God change the way you see your surroundings?

Day 2: Faithful Stewardship of God’s Gifts

We are reminded that everything we have—time, resources, creation itself—has been entrusted to us by God, and we are called to be faithful stewards, not owners. The parable of the dishonest manager warns us of the consequences of squandering what is entrusted to us and challenges us to serve God rather than wealth. Our daily choices reflect whether we honor God’s trust or misuse His gifts, and we are invited to live with gratitude and responsibility for all that has been placed in our care. [32:20]

Luke 16:1-13 (ESV)
He also said to the disciples, “There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his possessions. And he called him and said to him, ‘What is this that I hear about you? Turn in the account of your management, for you can no longer be manager.’ And the manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do, since my master is taking the management away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. I have decided what to do, so that when I am removed from management, people may receive me into their houses.’ So, summoning his master’s debtors one by one, he said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ He said, ‘A hundred measures of oil.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.’ Then he said to another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ He said, ‘A hundred measures of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and write eighty.’ The master commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light. And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings. One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own? No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”

Reflection: What is one resource or responsibility God has entrusted to you that you can care for more faithfully this week?

Day 3: Confession and Repentance Lead to Healing

Faith calls us to honestly name where we have failed as stewards of creation and to turn from waste and excess toward care and simplicity. Confession is the first step, acknowledging that climate change and environmental harm are not just scientific or political issues, but spiritual ones rooted in greed and forgetfulness of God. Repentance is ongoing—a daily turning from despair to hope, from inaction to small, faithful steps that heal and restore the world around us. [35:35]

1 John 1:8-9 (ESV)
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to confess wastefulness or neglect of God’s creation, and what is one practical step you can take today to turn toward care and simplicity?

Day 4: Small Acts Make a Difference

Even the smallest acts—planting a tree, teaching a child to recycle, offering a prayer for the earth—are holy and can make a real difference in the world. Like the boy who threw starfish back into the sea, we are reminded that our individual actions, though they may seem small, matter deeply to God and to those around us. Each day is an opportunity to participate in God’s renewing work, trusting that our faithfulness, however modest, is multiplied by God’s grace. [39:52]

Galatians 6:9-10 (ESV)
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Reflection: What is one small, concrete action you can take today to care for creation or encourage someone working for justice?

Day 5: Living as People of Hope

God has not abandoned creation; every sunrise and every new sprout is a sign that life is stronger than death and that God’s mercies are new every morning. We are called to be people of hope, trusting in God’s ongoing work of renewal and sharing that hope with others—especially the next generation—through our example, encouragement, and faith. Even in the face of daunting challenges, we walk gently, breathe deeply, and live gratefully, knowing that the Creator, Christ, and Spirit go with us always. [37:37]

Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV)
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Reflection: Who in your life needs encouragement or hope today, and how can you share a word or act of hope with them?

Sermon Summary

Today, we gathered in gratitude for the land on which we worship, acknowledging the First Nations peoples and the sacredness of creation that surrounds us. Our hearts were drawn to the theme of “sea and sky,” reflecting on the opening words of Genesis, where God brings order and beauty out of chaos, separating waters and sky, and declaring all of creation good. This is not just a story of beginnings, but a call to wonder and responsibility—a reminder that the earth and sky are gifts entrusted to our care.

We considered the parable from Luke 16, where Jesus tells of a manager who squandered what was entrusted to him. This story challenges us to reflect on our own stewardship—not only of material resources, but of the very world God has given us. The connection between Genesis and Luke is clear: what God has made is beautiful and good, but it is not ours to exploit. When we serve wealth or our own interests above God, we risk damaging the very creation we are called to tend.

The reality of climate change and environmental crisis is a spiritual issue as much as a scientific or political one. The sky is no longer clear, the seas are no longer whole, and creation groans under the weight of human misuse. Yet, faith offers us a way forward. First, we must tell the truth and confess our failures as stewards. Second, we are called to repentance—not just in words, but in action: planting trees, conserving water, reducing waste, and supporting those affected by environmental disasters. Third, faith gives us hope. God has not abandoned creation; every sunrise and every new sprout is a sign of God’s ongoing mercy and renewal.

Even the smallest acts—tending a garden, teaching children to recycle, praying for the earth—are holy and make a difference. Like the boy who threw starfish back into the sea, our small acts matter. We are called to be stewards, not owners; servants of God, not wealth; people of hope, trusting that by God’s grace, creation will once again be declared good. Let us go forth, rooted in the earth and lifted by the sky, to live gently, gratefully, and faithfully.

Key Takeaways

1. Creation as Sacred Trust The opening of Genesis reminds us that creation is not merely a backdrop for human activity, but a sacred trust given by God. The sea and sky, earth and all living things, are not ours to possess, but to care for with reverence and gratitude. Recognizing this changes how we live, moving us from entitlement to stewardship. [16:02]
2. Stewardship and Accountability The parable of the dishonest manager in Luke 16 challenges us to examine how we handle what has been entrusted to us. Our resources, time, and even the environment are not ours to squander. True stewardship means living with integrity, knowing that we will be called to account for how we have cared for God’s gifts. [32:20]
3. Climate Crisis as a Spiritual Issue The environmental crises we face are not just scientific or political problems—they are deeply spiritual. Our misuse of creation stems from greed, waste, and forgetfulness of God. Faith calls us to honest confession, recognizing our complicity and the need for transformation in how we relate to the world. [35:35]
4. Repentance and Action Repentance is more than feeling sorry; it is a turning from waste to care, from excess to simplicity, from despair to hope. Concrete actions—planting trees, conserving resources, supporting those affected by environmental harm—are acts of faith that honor the Creator. Our daily choices, however small, are opportunities to live out our repentance. [36:23]
5. Hope in Small Acts Even when the problems seem overwhelming, faith teaches that small acts matter. Like the boy returning starfish to the sea, each act of care is significant. God’s renewing power is at work in every sunrise and every seed, and our witness—especially to the next generation—can inspire hope and change.

** [39:52]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:07] - Announcements and Community Life
[08:40] - Lighting the Christ Candle and Land Acknowledgment
[10:16] - Call to Worship and Opening Prayer
[11:47] - Opening Hymn
[14:10] - Choir Anthem
[16:02] - Assurance of Forgiveness and Introduction to Theme
[30:10] - Reflection on Creation and Personal Story
[32:20] - Parable of the Dishonest Manager
[33:21] - Climate Crisis and Human Responsibility
[34:31] - Faith’s Response: Truth, Repentance, and Hope
[38:30] - The Starfish Story: Small Acts Matter
[41:18] - Prayer and Commitment
[45:14] - Offering and Dedication
[48:05] - Prayers of the People and The Lord’s Prayer
[53:07] - Closing Hymn and Benediction
[57:04] - Final Blessing and Dismissal
[59:06] - Postlude and Farewell

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Genesis 1:1–10 (ESV) — > In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.
> And God said, “Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.” And God made the expanse and separated the waters that were under the expanse from the waters that were above the expanse. And it was so. And God called the expanse Heaven. And there was evening and there was morning, the second day.
> And God said, “Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear.” And it was so. God called the dry land Earth, and the waters that were gathered together he called Seas. And God saw that it was good.

Luke 16:1–13 (ESV) — > [Parable of the Dishonest Manager]
> He also said to the disciples, “There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his possessions. And he called him and said to him, ‘What is this that I hear about you? Turn in the account of your management, for you can no longer be manager.’ ... No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”

Observation Questions

In Genesis 1, what actions does God take to bring order and beauty out of chaos? What does God declare about creation after each step?
According to the parable in Luke 16, what did the manager do with what was entrusted to him, and what was the consequence?
The sermon mentions that the earth and sky are “gifts entrusted to our care.” What examples from the sermon illustrate this idea?
What are some signs mentioned in the sermon that creation is suffering or “groaning” under human misuse?

Interpretation Questions

The sermon says, “Genesis does not begin with us, but with God.” Why is it important to remember that creation is God’s, not ours? How might this change our attitude toward the environment?
In the parable from Luke 16, Jesus warns, “You cannot serve God and serve wealth.” How does this warning relate to how we treat the world around us?
The sermon calls climate change and environmental crisis a “spiritual issue.” What does it mean to see environmental problems as spiritual, not just scientific or political?
The story of the boy and the starfish is used to illustrate the value of small acts. Why do small acts matter, even when the problems seem overwhelming?

Application Questions

The sermon challenges us to move “from entitlement to stewardship.” In your daily life, are there ways you treat the earth or its resources as if they belong to you, rather than as a trust from God? What is one habit you could change this week?
The parable in Luke 16 is about being accountable for what is entrusted to us. If you were to give an account of how you care for God’s creation, what would you be proud of? What would you want to change?
The sermon says, “Faith calls us to honest confession, recognizing our complicity and the need for transformation.” Is there an area where you need to confess your part in harming creation? How might you take a first step toward change?
Repentance is described as “turning from waste to care, from excess to simplicity, from despair to hope.” What is one concrete action you could take this month to live more simply or reduce waste?
The sermon gives examples like planting trees, conserving water, and teaching children to recycle. Which of these (or another) could you commit to doing in the next month? Who could you invite to join you?
The story of the boy and the starfish reminds us that “one small act can make a difference.” Can you share a time when a small action you took (or someone else took) made a difference for the environment or for someone else?
The sermon says, “Our witness—especially to the next generation—can inspire hope and change.” How can you encourage or teach children or young people in your life to care for creation?

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