Genesis 6 - Stewardship and The Flood

You might be wondering what the flood has to do with our stewardship. There is no mention of money. I think this chapter speaks to the foundations of our stewardship. At our core, do we walk with God or do we go our own wicked way.

Three different hearts are revealed in this chapter. God's heart, man's heart and Noah's heart. God is obviously disturbed by the condition of the earth. In verse 3 God says "My Spirit will no contend with man forever his days will be 120 years." And in verse 6 (I think this is the saddest verse in the Bible). The Lord was grieved that he had made man on the earth and his heart was filled with pain. It brings tears to my eyes to think that our actions would grieve God so deeply.

Mankind however were running amuck. Intermarrying to bring about a superman (verse 4) and engaging in all kinds of violence to demonstrate their superiority (verse 13). God saw the wickedness and saw that men's hearts were inclined to evil all the time (verse 5). There was no good to be found just a few generations after the garden. The evil in their hearts was translated into evil deeds - but for the grace of God go we.

Noah was the only righteous one who walked with God. There was no one else who was interested in pleasing God but him. How did he do that? Obedience. God commanded him to build an ark and gave him precise specifications. God even shared his plans with Noah so he understood why he was building the ark. His heart to honor God translated into obedience.

As stewards, our hearts are revealed in our usage of not just money but also our thoughts, words and deeds. We will obey God and seek to walk with him. Our actions are megaphones revealing the condition of our soul to the world around us. Our check books also tell a story of how much we trust God and how much we live for ourselves.

One day there will be a book opened before God that will account for our days here on earth. What will that book say about you? If you have not been walking with God, there is hope. 1 John 1:9 says that if we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive. Today is a fresh day to walk with God and to follow Noah's example of stewardship when he left his wealth, his reputation and his life in God's control and obediently followed him.

In what ways can we walk more closely with God? Pursue them my friends and find the peace of knowing you are completely in God's care.

May God richly bless you as you seek Him and as you serve Him.