“So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.’ Then God said, ‘I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground‹everything that has the breath of life in it‹I give every green plant for food.’ And it was so.”

Genesis 1: 27-30 is the first biblical story of God speaking to his children. In this instance it’s in the midst of the creation account and it’s directly to mankind – male and female who are made in his own image – that he addresses with their first responsibilities and his corresponding promises:

1. Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it.

2. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.

3. Every seed-bearing plant and every tree that has fruit with seed in it is yours for food.

How generous of God to provide the entire earth for men and women to fruitfully fill and obediently subdue. In addition, he offers them everything they will need for their daily nutrition: family and friends to share the creation, food to sustain their life on earth, and fruitfulness to both sustain and transform them for the long haul.

As God speaks to his children, it all begins with an awareness of their basic necessities. How kind, loving and gracious of God!

What are the basic-necessity-blessings of your life for which you can thank the Lord today?