Value in Relationship: Stewardship and Inheritance in Creation

May 24, 2025

Devotional

Day 1: God as Creator and Owner of All Things

Everything in creation—earth, sky, water, animals, and people—belongs to God, who made it with purpose and intention. Our relationship to the world and everything in it is shaped by recognizing that we are stewards, not owners, entrusted to care for God’s creation for the blessing of others and the glory of God. When we forget this, we fall into conflict, misuse, and confusion about our place and purpose. True peace and unity come when we honor God’s design and acknowledge His ownership, living as caretakers who seek the flourishing of all. [01:17:35]

Genesis 1:1-2 (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.

Reflection: In what area of your life do you most struggle to see yourself as a steward rather than an owner, and how might acknowledging God’s ownership change the way you treat that area today?

Day 2: Humanity Made in the Image of God

Every person is created in the image of God, equally bearing His likeness, regardless of gender, race, or background. This truth calls us to treat every human being with reverence and dignity, refusing to elevate ourselves or diminish others. When we see ourselves and others as God’s image-bearers, it transforms our relationships, ending cycles of hatred, comparison, and division, and instead fostering love, respect, and unity as God intended. [01:30:35]

Genesis 1:26-27 (ESV)
Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over 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.

Reflection: Who is one person you find difficult to honor as an image-bearer of God, and what is one practical way you can show them dignity and love this week?

Day 3: God’s Judgment and Discernment Are the Standard

God alone determines what is good and what is evil, and His judgments are the true standard for how we relate to creation and to one another. We are called to discern and judge rightly, not by our own preferences or fears, but by seeking God’s wisdom and truth. When we rely on our own understanding, we risk partiality, injustice, and broken relationships, but when we look through God’s lens, we find clarity and righteousness in our actions and attitudes. [01:09:31]

Deuteronomy 1:17 (ESV)
You shall not be partial in judgment. You shall hear the small and the great alike. You shall not be intimidated by anyone, for the judgment is God’s. And the case that is too hard for you, you shall bring to me, and I will hear it.

Reflection: Where in your life are you tempted to make judgments based on fear, favoritism, or your own standards, and how can you seek God’s discernment in that situation today?

Day 4: The Gift and Purpose of Sabbath Rest

God designed work and rest for our good, calling us to labor diligently and then to rest in Him, enjoying His provision and presence. Sabbath is not just a day off, but a holy invitation to trust God, to cease striving, and to find our ultimate rest in Christ. When we neglect rest, we lose sight of God’s sufficiency; when we overvalue work, we miss the joy of His gifts. True Sabbath points us to the eternal rest God offers through faith in Jesus. [01:38:11]

Hebrews 4:9-11 (ESV)
So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his. Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience.

Reflection: What is one way you can intentionally set aside time this week to rest in God’s presence and express gratitude for His provision, rather than relying on your own efforts?

Day 5: Salvation and Inheritance Are Received, Not Earned

Eternal life and our identity as God’s children are not earned by our works, but received as a free inheritance through faith in Jesus Christ. Just as an inheritance is given out of love and relationship, so God offers us salvation—not because we deserve it, but because of His grace. Our response is to lay down self-justification and pride, humbly receiving the gift of life and rest that Christ has accomplished for us, and living as beloved children who invite others into God’s family. [01:41:10]

John 1:12-13 (ESV)
But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

Reflection: Is there any area where you are still trying to earn God’s acceptance or prove your worth? What would it look like to lay that down and simply receive His love and grace today?

Sermon Summary

The story of the broken watch, inherited from my mother and originally belonging to my grandfather, sets the stage for understanding how value is determined not by price, but by relationship and inheritance. In the same way, our relationship to creation, to one another, and to God is rooted in identity and purpose, not in mere possession or utility. Genesis 1 and 2 reveal that God is the Creator and Owner of all things, and He has entrusted the earth and everything in it to humanity—not for exploitation, but for stewardship, blessing, and mutual flourishing.

God’s creative work is intentional and ordered. Each day of creation builds upon the last, preparing a home uniquely suited for human life. The earth, the sky, the waters, the plants, the animals—all are given their place and purpose. Humanity, created in God’s image, is set apart as the pinnacle of creation, called to rule and subdue, but never to dominate or devalue. Our dominion is not a license for abuse, but a call to reflect God’s character: to bless, to care, and to honor the image of God in every person.

The confusion and brokenness we see in the world—whether in our relationship to land, to animals, to each other, or to work and rest—stem from forgetting the Creator’s intent and our identity as His image bearers. When we misunderstand ownership, we fight over land and resources. When we forget the value of people, we mistreat one another and elevate lesser things above human life. When we lose sight of God’s rhythm, we either idolize work or neglect the gift of rest.

Yet, God’s judgment and discernment remain the standard for what is good. He alone defines the purpose and boundaries of creation. The Sabbath rest, instituted at creation, points us to our ultimate purpose: eternal rest and relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Salvation is not earned by our works, but received as an inheritance—just as I received the watch, not by merit, but by love and relationship.

In Christ, we are invited to enter this rest, to reclaim our identity, and to steward God’s world in a way that reflects His glory and brings blessing to others. Our hope is not in this broken world, but in the promise of a new creation, where all things are made right. Until then, we are called to live as faithful image bearers, receiving God’s grace and extending it to all creation.

Key Takeaways

1. True value is rooted in relationship and inheritance, not in material worth. Just as the watch was precious because of who gave it and its history, our lives and the world around us gain meaning from our relationship to God, the Creator and Giver of all things. Recognizing this transforms how we treat what we have been given, moving us from possessiveness to stewardship. [56:34]
2. Our identity as image bearers of God shapes every relationship we have—with the earth, with animals, and especially with other people. We are called to honor the image of God in every person, refusing to devalue or idolize ourselves or others. This understanding dismantles pride, prejudice, and the temptation to dominate, calling us instead to mutual respect and love. [89:55]
3. God’s judgments, not our own preferences or cultural norms, define what is good and right. Discernment in how we relate to creation and to each other must be rooted in God’s revealed will, not in fear, favoritism, or self-interest. Only by seeking God’s perspective can we avoid the distortions and injustices that arise from human wisdom alone. [69:31]
4. The Sabbath rest is both a gift and a calling, reminding us that our ultimate fulfillment is found not in endless striving, but in relationship with God. Work is valuable, but it is not our identity; rest is holy, but it is not laziness. The rhythm of work and rest is designed to cultivate gratitude, dependence on God, and anticipation of the eternal rest promised in Christ. [96:39]
5. Salvation and eternal life are received as an inheritance, not achieved by effort. Just as I could not earn the watch but received it by grace, so too we enter God’s rest and become His children by faith in Jesus Christ. This truth humbles us, frees us from self-justification, and compels us to invite others into the same grace and hope. [101:10]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[55:58] - The Story of the Broken Watch
[58:12] - Identity, Inheritance, and Value
[59:59] - Relating to God’s Creation
[64:23] - The Creation Narrative: Order and Purpose
[66:11] - Humanity’s Relationship with the Earth
[69:31] - God’s Judgments and Discernment
[73:43] - The Days of Creation Explained
[76:53] - Ownership, Stewardship, and Boundaries
[78:45] - The Gift and Purpose of Vegetation
[80:52] - Celestial Bodies and Idolatry
[82:31] - The Origin and Value of Life
[87:50] - God’s Care for Animals and Ethical Implications
[89:55] - Humanity in God’s Image
[96:39] - The Sabbath: Work, Rest, and Worship
[101:10] - Inheritance, Salvation, and Eternal Rest
[103:44] - Closing Prayer and Blessing

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading

- Genesis 1:1–2:3
(The creation account: God creates the heavens and the earth, sets order and purpose, creates humanity in His image, and institutes the Sabbath rest.)

- John 1:1–14
(Jesus as the Word through whom all things were made, the true light, and the one who gives the right to become children of God.)

- Hebrews 4:1–11
(The promise of entering God’s rest, the meaning of Sabbath, and the call to receive rest through faith in Christ.)

Observation Questions

In Genesis 1, what patterns do you notice in the way God creates and evaluates His creation? What does God call “good,” and what is unique about His creation of humanity?

(See [01:09:31] and [01:29:55])

According to the sermon, what is the significance of God naming parts of creation (like the sky, sea, and land)?

(See [01:16:11])

In John 1, how is Jesus described in relation to creation and light? What does it mean that “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us”?

(See [01:09:31] and [01:43:44])

What does Hebrews 4 say about entering God’s rest? Who is invited, and what is required to enter that rest?

(See [01:38:11])

Interpretation Questions

The sermon uses the story of the broken watch to illustrate value. How does this story help us understand the difference between value based on price and value based on relationship and inheritance?

(See [56:34])

The sermon says that being made in God’s image shapes how we relate to others and to creation. What are some ways people misunderstand or misuse this identity, according to the sermon?

(See [01:29:55])

The Sabbath is described as both a gift and a calling. What does it mean that rest is not just about stopping work, but about relationship with God?

(See [01:36:39])

The sermon says that salvation and eternal life are received as an inheritance, not achieved by effort. How does this challenge common ways people try to earn God’s favor?

(See [01:41:10])

Application Questions

The story of the watch shows that value comes from relationship and inheritance, not price. Is there something in your life that you value mainly because of its cost or usefulness, rather than its connection to God or others? How might your attitude change if you saw it as a gift to steward?

(See [56:34])

The sermon challenges us to see every person as made in God’s image. Think of a recent situation where you were tempted to look down on someone or ignore their needs. How could remembering their value as God’s image bearer have changed your response?

(See [01:29:55])

The sermon talks about two extremes: idolizing creation (like “Mother Earth”) or abusing it. Which side do you tend to lean toward? What is one practical step you could take this week to better steward God’s creation?

(See [01:06:11])

When it comes to work and rest, do you find yourself overworking or being lazy? What is one change you could make to better honor God’s rhythm of work and Sabbath rest in your week?

(See [01:36:39])

The sermon says that God’s judgments, not our preferences or culture, define what is good. Is there an area in your life where you’ve been following your own standards instead of seeking God’s will? What would it look like to seek God’s perspective in that area?

(See [01:09:31])

Salvation is described as an inheritance, not something we earn. Are you tempted to try to “earn” God’s love or approval through your actions? How can you remind yourself this week to rest in God’s grace instead?

(See [01:41:10])

The sermon ends with a call to invite others into God’s grace and hope. Who in your life needs to hear about the hope of a new creation and rest in Christ? What is one way you could share this with them?

(See [01:43:44])

Sermon Clips

“In the internal side of things, who you believe you are, believe, faith, goes on to shape the eternal consequences of your soul.”

“How we relate to God's things is extremely important. So often, I mean, so important is it, that there are whole books of the Bible that have laws in them all about how you relate to His creation. How do you relate to land? How do you relate to your neighbour? How do you relate to the foreigner? How do you relate to God? How do you worship? These are all things to do with how you relate to the world around you.”

“But no one can have right relationship with anything if they do not understand the manner of why God made it. What's its purpose? How does it work? Who owns it? Genesis 1 to 2 teaches God's people the foundations of how they are to relate and use the things that He made, that He owns, that He's given for us.”

“God made it unique unique for us. It's our home. We're indigenous to it. And he purposed it for life. Humanity is confused in many ways with planet earth. You'll talk to some people and they call it mother earth. They deify it, they glorify it, they try to connect with it, they give it thanks. It's a false relationship, that's paganism. It's not anything. It's grandeur and it's glorious and it was given to us, but it's God who made it.”

“God didn't give us that planet. He gave us this one, we can't even get this one right. We watched sci -fi movies. is you watch like nature documentaries and they have this belief system knitted into them some of them that have the idea that had humanity not being created things would have been better off nature would have would have prevailed far greater well it wouldn't that's the whole reason God put us here to nurture to create to help sustain what is here we don't know how to relate.”

“Based on how it began and based on how it ends you should know how you ought to conduct yourself humanity is from this planet by God it is designed for us in the beginning and we ought to find our home and our rest in it that's what it was made for and just because of sin and its brokenness we have a new home that we await for but that does not mean that we trash this one up and make it hard for everyone else we are to make our home here but we are to bless other people that they can also make a home here as well.”

“Jesus is the revelation he is the light to the world to you and I on who made everything.”

“God saw that the light was good so what we learn here is that God makes judgments upon his creation he is the determining factor if things are good or they're bad they're holy or they're evil he is the truth of morality and he looks at his creation at different times whether it's creation whether it's when humans are in sin and he decides this is good this is bad.”

“Our relationship with making judgments and discernments on anything in God's creation, without doing it through the lens of God, you're going to be wrong.”

“Naming something implies ownership to it. God here names those things. He lets Adam name the animals because he's given the animals to them. But God owns this world, this earth. He owns the dirt. He owns the air. He owns the water.”

“These decisions, our personal rights, our border policies, what would they look like if everyone acknowledged that this environment and all of its resources, they're not yours? They're not mine. I don't own them. You don't own them. They're entrusted to all of us to steward for the benefit of one another.”

“God put these celestial bodies in the sky for us to be able to reference things. So animals can reference things. So God put autumn, summer, spring, whatever, into the fabric of creation.”

“Scripture is clear that life, the ability to become alive, comes only from God. Life cannot start from an inanimate object.”

“God put divisions in the animal kingdom he put divisions in the plant kingdom and he put divisions in humanity or categories should i say not division that is not to say that an animal can't breed and over time take on other characteristics just like humans we know we all take on different characteristics we all started with two people and then we've multiplied into looking very different.”

“On day five god blesses the creatures to bless means to give divine favor over to and god gives them divine favor that they might prosper that they would increase in number and that they would fill every place you know it's often an overlooked aspect i think of god is that he cares for animals.”

“God's charge for humans with other humans is that they are His image and you are to treat them as such. There should be a holiness and a reverence there.”

“Humans were entrusted with a perfect environment in which they were to steward all of it for the betterment of creation, for the glory of God, and for the betterment of one another so that we could all enjoy it, so we could all find home, so we all had a place.”

“God concludes, He looks at humanity. We saw it in Proverbs 8. He looks at humanity. He looks at everything He creates, actually, it says, and He says it's not just good. It is very good. He loves it. God loves His creation. He loves this created order. Even though it's fallen now, and even though it's sinful, and even though it's imperfect, He still loves it now.”

“Rest and enjoyment in the Lord and reliance upon His provision is. Enjoyment in God and enjoyment in thanksgiving for what He provides. Even the ability that you can work and make the fruits of your hands, that's not yours. God gave you the ability so that you'd give Him thanks in it.”

“The created order is for the purpose that humans have an eternal Sabbath rest with God the Father in heaven.”

“There is a day coming. There is a hope that we endure in that Jesus Christ is going to come back. He's going to burn this one. And he's going to recreate a new one. And those that believed in him by faith will stand to inherit the kingdom of God.”

“You were created by your maker. That's your identity. You are connected to him. But you're a sinner. And you will not go to be with him unless you put faith in Christ and let him forgive you of all your sins. That is why he came to you.”

“Would you go by faith in the name of Jesus Christ That you are his image bearers Born again With the right to be called children of the most high God Not from you But because of God And you are put into this broken world To redeem it To set it right So that others might flood in To see the goodness of God in all that you do And it's not what you do But what God does through you In the name of Jesus Christ I pray Amen”

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