It’s a Family Affair

“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

Did you know that God’s original plan was not for individuals but families?  Do you know that women were called to have dominion just as men?  Are you carrying out God’s plan for your family through business?

Throughout history the world has been dominated by the male gender. This could be due simply to their physical strength over the female gender or in the name of God ordained headship.  Though this is all certainly true, both men and women were originally created equally in the image and likeness of God, and both were given dominion over the earth.

When God says in Genesis 1:26, “let us make man in our image according to our likeness…” He is not referring to the male gender specifically, but rather to mankind the species (male and female). “So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.”  — Genesis 1:27

After creating them, male and female, He gave them dominion.  Unfortunately, many have misunderstood and used this word as a license to control and abuse others in the name of God or take possession of things that do not belong to them.  When Genesis talks about dominion, it is referring to God’s divine assignment to mankind to rule His creation through stewardship and service, not control and abuse.  Also, this dominion mandate was given over things and not people.  Man is called to dominate things and never other individuals.  A man that dominates other people is typically either insecure and is being used by the devil or wicked. This person is intentionally working against God’s agenda by hurting and destroying the image and likeness of God.

With the proper understanding of dominion, male and female are called to work together in unity to create a family through which they can realize God’s plan on earth.

“Then God blessed them, and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.’” — Genesis 1:28

The family unit is under constant attack, not just by those who are seeking to redefine what a family is, but also by those who, though they are committed to the biblical definition of family, struggle to live up to it or just choose to act contrary to the conviction they profess.  One of the problems with a democratic society is its attempt to redefine God’s plan by aligning with the opinion of the majority.  Since sin entered the earth, man has struggled to live up to God’s moral standards, even the most righteous of men, David, Jacob and Noah, to name a few. Although they struggled to live up to God’s moral code, they never denied God’s standards, nor tried to redefine those standards to fit their circumstances. Instead, these men repented and continued to pursue God.

“Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” — Genesis 6:5

We must not allow our circumstances and situations to define our faith. Rather, our faith must serve as light and salt for our world, even if we are the only ones who still believe.  Remember the faithful were never a majority, but a minority, and it was never God’s plan that the majority will believe.  He always works with a remnant.

“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.”  — Matthew 5:13-14

Will you commit to God’s original plan for the family and devote yourself to walking in unity with your husband or wife, carrying out God’s dominion mandate through business?  Even if your family is not all that you want it to be, do not walk in condemnation, but rather aspire to display and attain God’s best for you and believe by faith that He will grant you the grace to do so.

No matter how many businesses we build, how profitable and transformational our business, if behind that business there is no commitment to one’s marriage and family, our work is in vain.

“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.  And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.  And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned,but have not love, it profits me nothing.” — I Corinthians 13: 1-3.

My prayer for you today is that God will grant you the grace to commit to walking in unity with your family in business and grant you the wisdom to realize how to do so.