The first couple were given a well-appointed place to live, a beautiful garden paradise. They never went hungry. They had more than enough of every variety of fruit to eat; low hanging fruit, no toiling, no sweat, and no need for storage. Adam and Eve had it made. Then they lost it all with the exception of their relationship with God. Thankfully that was in tact, but the comforts they had enjoyed slipped away from them. As tragic as this is, there is a principle in this narrative that could help us live a much better life: I would like to call this the Garden of Eden Principle.
Adam and Eve had only one thing to do to have a better life in the Garden; do not eat of the tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Everything in the garden; the plentiful and delicious fruit, comfortable and picturesque surroundings, and easy maintenance in this paradise was theirs to enjoy. They only had one small restriction. Do not eat of the fruit of one tree.
So here is the Garden of Eden Principle for our consideration: Discipline and restraint in the small and few things will help us to live a better life. God does not ask us to do much in exchange for His blessings. Jesus said, my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Adam and Eve had one tree to stay away from. If they could have only wrestled down that one thing God asked them not to do they could have had a better life on earth. It is mind boggling because they had so much they could do! They had all the trees in the garden to enjoy but one. And they had to walk by many of the trees with fruit they could eat to even get to the fruit the couldn’t eat because the tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil was located in the middle of the garden. God only requires discipline and restraint in a few things to reap the benefits of the many things He has for us.
Joseph C. Hutchison
