Together in Christ: 'Made to Be Caretakers of God's Creation' — Genesis 1:26

Saturday, January 10, 2026

[After creating all animals on the sixth day,] God said, "Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground."

— Genesis 1:26 NLT

Key Thought

As humans, we live on the earth and in the universe that God has made to declare His glory. [1] God gave us the responsibility to "reign" over His creation. However, our "reign" means we are stewards, [2] not bullies or abusers, of what God designed and made. We must honor God with what we do with His world. We don't own the world; God created it all, as well as the universe that surrounds our small blue planet. It's His, not ours. [3] Human sin put God's perfect creation into bondage. Jesus frees his disciples from that bondage, [4] and He will free all creation with His return and the coming of "a new heaven and a new earth." [5]

God made us with an integral connection with our world. He made us of the same stuff as the earth, and we will return to that same stuff when we die. [6] We are here as caretakers for Him. Part of our relationship with God is demonstrated by how we live in connection with His creation - how well we live in and care for His great creation. God's creation should remind us of God's power and goodness, both of which can help us understand Him better. In return, God chooses to speak to us through the beauty and majesty of His universe. [7] They remind us how great He is and how small we are. Yet< despite our smallness, He chooses to love us, redeem us, and set things right by making everything new one day!

[1] Romans 1:20; Psalms 19:1-3.
[2] Genesis 2:5, 3:23; Psalm 8:6-8; Luke 19:11-26.
[3] Psalm 24:1; Exodus 9:29; Job 41:1; 1 Corinthians 10:26.
[4] Romans 6:22; Galatians 1:4; Hebrews 2:14-15.
[5] Genesis 1:31; Romans 8:15-25; Isaiah 65:17-22; 2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1-2.
[6] Genesis 3:19.
[7] Romans 1:20; Psalms 19:1-3.

Today's Prayer

Almighty God, thank You for blessing us with such a wonderful world and a vast universe. In a creation so immense, why would you care to know or love me? Yet, dear Father, you have demonstrated Your love for me in Jesus. You are present in my life through the Holy Spirit. So, please help me understand what I should do to honor You in my stewardship of this magnificent creation and the relationships You have given me while I live here. Through Jesus' intercession, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

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Illustration

Illustration of Genesis 1:26 NLT — [After creating all animals on the sixth day,] God said, "Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground."

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About This Devotional

Together in Christ is a daily devotional that focuses on what Scripture teaches about godly living in relationships.

'Together in Christ' is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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