“Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth’” (Genesis 1:26).
When we talk about creation care, this verse from Genesis often gets brought up—God giving us dominion, or authority, to rule over creation. That means we can pretty much treat it however we want, right? Not exactly. The Bible models a type of care for the Earth and all its inhabitants that might look a bit different from what first comes to mind when talking about “control.”
1. God’s dominion is always connected to care, not control.
In Genesis 1:26-28, God gives humans dominion over the earth—not as tyrants, but as caretakers. Biblical dominion isn’t about exploitation but about cultivating and protecting what God has entrusted to us. Whether it’s the environment, relationships, or our talents, true leadership looks like stewardship, not selfish gain.
2. Stewardship isn’t just about money—it’s about life.
We often associate stewardship with tithing, but it extends to every area of life. Colossians 3:23 reminds us to work as if we’re serving the Lord. How we manage our time, energy, relationships, and even the earth itself is part of faithful stewardship.
3. Jesus modeled stewardship by serving.
In John 13:14, Jesus washed his disciples’ feet—something a king would never be expected to do. Yet, he demonstrated that true authority looks like serving others. If Jesus, the King of Kings, led through humility, our dominion should look the same.
4. How we manage reflects what we worship.
Matthew 6:21 says, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” How we steward our resources—our money, our words, our actions—shows what we truly value. Stewardship is an act of worship, whether that’s in giving generously, taking care of our homes, or using our gifts to glorify God.
5. We’re accountable for how we steward God’s gifts.
In the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30), Jesus teaches that what we’ve been given isn’t just for us—it’s meant to be multiplied for God’s kingdom. We’re accountable for how we use our time, skills, and opportunities, not because God is a taskmaster, but because he calls us to care for the world and especially others. Dominion isn’t about taking; it’s about multiplying what God has entrusted to us for his glory.