Not long after God created everything, He planted the Garden of Eden. Genesis 2:15 says, “Then the Lord God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to cultivate it and guard it” (GNT). Think about that for a second. God created this perfect world and garden, then asked man to cultivate it and guard it. To cultivate it is to take what it was in its raw form and to help it become more. God was asking Adam to grow it to more than what it was. When God asked him to guard it, He was asking Adam to take responsibility for what had been given to him as well. In this moment, God created a partnership with man to work together with purpose.
One of my favorite parables comes from Matthew 25. A man was going on a trip and he entrusted his property to three servants. Verse 15 says, “He gave to each one according to his ability: to one he gave five thousand gold coins, to another he gave two thousand, and to another he gave one thousand. Then he left on his trip.” Did you catch that? He entrusted something to each one according to his abilities. He wanted them to cultivate, grow and guard what was placed in their hand. The first two doubled the coins while the other hid his. The first two who grew and guarded their gift were told, “Well done, you good and faithful servant! You have been faithful in managing small amounts, so I will put you in charge of large amounts. Come on in and share my happiness!” The owner shared the growth with them in the partnership.
In 2 Timothy 1:6 Paul reminds Timothy, “This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you” (NLT). What is Paul asking Timothy to do? He wants him to cultivate the gift, to grow it and to not let it die. He wants him to guard it and steward it well. The same challenge is given to us as was given to Adam, the servants and Timothy. Why has God given you that He’s asking you to cultivate and to guard? Where do you need to partner with God to see growth? The talents that God gives you are His gift to you. How you grow and guard them are your gift to Him. The more we increase them and care for them, the more He will share with you in this partnership.
Devotions by Chris Hendrix 