Kingdom Management

  Keepers of the King's Domain: Our Role as Game and Habitat Managers
The idea of the "Kingdom of God" often evokes images of spiritual transformation and eternal life. However, the Kingdom is also a present reality, a way of life where God's will is done "on earth as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:10). This has profound implications for how we view and interact with the natural world around us.
The Bible establishes humanity not as owners of the earth, but as stewards—appointed managers of a King's vast and wonderful estate. In this light, our modern concepts of game and habitat management take on a deeper, spiritual significance. We are the King’s appointed Game and Habitat Managers.
The Original Mandate: Cultivate and Keep
Our role was defined from the very beginning. After creating the man, the Lord God placed him in the Garden of Eden with a specific job description:
  "The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it." (Genesis 2:15, NIV)

 
The Hebrew words here—'abad (to work/cultivate) and shamar (to keep/care for/guard)—lay the foundation for all responsible management.
 * 'Abad (Cultivation): This speaks to working the land, using its resources, and yes, even responsibly harvesting its bounty, including "game" (Genesis 9:3). It is active involvement in making the land productive and sustainable.
 * Shamar (Keeping): This is the role of the keeper, the conservationist. It means to protect, preserve, and maintain the health and integrity of the whole ecosystem—the "habitat"—so that it remains good, as God initially declared it (Genesis 1:31).
Our dominion (Genesis 1:28) is not a license for exploitation, but a mandate for loving, responsible authority—the kind of authority a benevolent King entrusts to a faithful manager.
Everything Belongs to the King
The foundation of our management philosophy must be the recognition of ownership. We are managers, not proprietors. The ultimate title deed belongs to God.
  “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” (Psalm 24:1, NIV)
 
This verse is a constant check on our pride and greed. When we manage a forest, a fishery, or a herd of deer, we are managing His assets. This elevates the work of a conservationist, a farmer, or a wildlife biologist to an act of worship. Our goal is to bring glory to the King by demonstrating the abundance and health of His creation.
Stewardship as Righteousness
In the Kingdom of God, action is a matter of character. How we treat a creature or a patch of land is an outward expression of our inner reverence for the Creator. The Bible connects righteousness—right living—directly to compassion for creation.
 “The righteous care for the needs of their animals, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.” (Proverbs 12:10, NIV)
 
This principle extends far beyond domestic animals. Responsible game management, for instance, is a righteous act that ensures the health of the species and the balance of the ecosystem. It is the opposite of slothful waste or cruel neglect. When we make decisions to restore habitat, control invasive species, or manage harvests based on scientific data, we are operating in alignment with the King's will for order and flourishing.
Seeking the Kingdom, Sustaining the Earth
Jesus instructed us on the priority of the Kingdom:
  “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33, NIV)
 
When we seek the Kingdom—a life defined by God's righteousness, peace, and joy (Romans 14:17)—our earthly management naturally falls into place. A Kingdom-focused perspective means:
 * Long-term thinking over short-term profit.
 * Generosity and provision for future generations.
 * Respect for the intrinsic value of every part of the King's estate.
We are called to manage the flora and fauna, the land and the water, with the foresight and faithfulness of someone who truly believes their King is coming back to inspect the property.
As Game and Habitat Managers for the Kingdom, let us walk the land with humility, work with diligence, and keep the earth with care, that all of creation might reflect the glory of the King who made it.