Friday, 2 May 2025

The First Job Vacancy In The World? Well According To Genesis It Was...

When you think of the world’s very first job, you might imagine a shepherd, a hunter, a builder - or perhaps even a prophet. But Scripture tells us that the first role assigned to humanity was none of these. 

Instead, it was gardening.

Yes, gardening!  

In the second chapter of Genesis, shortly after the creation of man, God assigns Adam his first responsibility. “The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it” (Genesis 2:15, RSV-CE). 

There it is - the first job description in the history of the world: to care for creation. 

It’s a calling that echoes down through the ages, and one that still holds spiritual significance for us today.

Eden: Humanity's First Workplace

The Garden of Eden was not simply a paradise for human enjoyment - it was entrusted to man as a sacred duty. God did not create a world of beauty only to let it grow wild or waste away. Instead, He gave Adam the responsibility to "till" and "keep" the garden - a dual calling to cultivate its potential and to protect its integrity.

In this simple yet profound verse, we see the beginnings of stewardship. Humanity is not the owner of the earth, but its caretaker. 

Our first role was not one of dominance, but of service - serving the earth, and ultimately serving the Lord through our care of it.

Gardening as a Sacred Task

Gardening is not just a relaxing hobby or a way to grow food; it’s a spiritual discipline that connects us to the Creator. 

Every flower planted, every weed pulled, and every compost pile turned can become an act of worship, a tangible expression of gratitude and responsibility.

Gardening reminds us of our dependence on God’s provision. 

No matter how skilled we may be with soil and seed, we cannot make the rain fall or the sun shine. “So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth” (1 Corinthians 3:7,RSV-CE).

It’s no wonder then, that many churches today are reviving the ancient art of gardening - not just for food or beauty, but as a form of prayer, stewardship, and community building.

Church Community Gardens: Growing Together

At our parish, we’ve discovered that the soil beneath our feet can be the foundation for something far greater: a renewed sense of togetherness.

We recently held a "Parish Garden Activity Day" at our church, and it was a most uplifting parish event. 

Families came together - mums, dads, children, grandparents - all working shoulder to shoulder to create something beautiful. 

We set out to build a wildlife garden to attract butterflies and insects, and the results were nothing short of miraculous.

Children were encouraged to take part, not just to keep them occupied, but to actively involve them in the life of our Church.

They planted sunflowers, made hotels for butterflies, bugs, bees, and ladybirds. There was also bug pebble painting, windmill, and insect mask making, too!  

Their laughter and creativity transformed our garden into a joyful space that will be enjoyed by both humans and creatures great and small.

What made the day even more special was that it wasn't just about planting flowers - it was about planting roots. 

By engaging our young people in caring for creation, we were also nurturing their connection to the Church. When children see the Church as a place where their gifts are valued and their presence celebrated, they are more likely to grow up feeling part of the Body of Christ.

The Example of Saint Francis

No reflection on faith and ecology would be complete without mentioning Saint Francis of Assisi, the Church’s most beloved gardener of souls and patron saint of ecology. Saint Francis saw all of creation as his brother and sister. 

He preached to birds, rejoiced in the beauty of the natural world, and saw the hand of God in everything from a blade of grass to the sun in the sky.

Francis' Canticle of the Creatures still inspires us today to praise God for “Brother Sun” and “Sister Moon,” and to recognise that nature is not separate from our faith, but a living expression of it. He understood that the world was not given to us to exploit, but to cherish.

His life reminds us that caring for the environment is not a modern trend - it is an ancient call rooted in Scripture and exemplified in the lives of the saints.

Involving Children in the Mission

There’s something truly beautiful about watching a child crouch down to observe a worm or gasp in wonder at a butterfly fluttering past. In those moments, they are not only learning about biology - they are being introduced to theology.

Involving children in church gardening projects teaches them about responsibility, the rhythms of life and death, and the joy of collaboration. But more importantly, it teaches them about God. They learn that He is the Author of life, the Provider of the seasons, and the One who brings forth fruit from the earth.

And as they plant seeds in the soil, so too are we planting seeds of faith in their hearts.

Bug hotels and painted pebbles may seem small, but in the hands of a child, they become sacraments of wonder - simple, earthy signs of God’s presence in the world.

Beauty as a Witness

There’s also a powerful evangelistic element to a beautiful church garden. A well-tended garden speaks without words. It invites passersby to pause, to reflect, to wonder. 

It testifies to the creativity and care of a community rooted in something deeper than mere utility.

A church garden can become a place of prayer, a refuge for the weary, a classroom for the curious, and even a mission field for the Gospel. And all of this begins with that ancient call to “till and keep.”

Practical Ideas for Your Parish

If your parish hasn’t yet started a community garden or environmental initiative, here are a few simple steps to begin:

  1. Start Small – Even a few planters or raised beds can make a difference. Choose hardy plants that attract pollinators.

  2. Engage Children – Provide safe tools and hands-on activities like painting pots, making labels, or building bug hotels.

  3. Host a Gardening Day – Invite families to come together to work, eat, and pray as a community.

  4. Create Prayer Spaces – Consider adding a small Marian shrine, a Saint Francis statue, or Scripture plaques among the flowers.

  5. Go Organic – Avoid chemicals and use natural compost. Teach children about eco-friendly practices.

  6. Celebrate the Seasons – Mark feast days with themed plantings (e.g., lilies for Easter, sunflowers for harvest).

  7. Encourage Wildlife – Install bird feeders, hedgehog houses, or butterfly-friendly flowers.

A Lasting Legacy

Genesis reminds us that God made us not only in His image, but for a purpose - to be His stewards. 

When we honour that purpose, we don’t just care for the earth - we participate in the divine plan of redemption and renewal.

The Church’s mission is not only to save souls, but to sanctify the world - and sometimes that begins with something as humble as planting a seed or painting a pebble.

So the next time someone asks what the world’s first job was, tell them it was gardening - and it still is. But now, it’s also a ministry, a mission, and a means of drawing young hearts to the love of God.

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