STEWARDSHIP

The Bible teaches that everything which exists, essentially God made it. God made people, animals, plants, the earth and other planets, suns, moons, and stars, and all the natural resources we use to make everything else out of. There is nothing material that did not originate from God.

When God created Adam, He gave him the earth to "work it and take care of it." In the Hebrew language, that specifically means to serve, till, and work the land, to labour over it and service it. But it also means to guard and protect the earth, to observe and preserve it, to regard and reserve it, and to treat it circumspectly (cautiously).

In the first chapter of Genesis, we find that God intended for man to rule over all sea life, birds, livestock, and living creatures that move along the ground. Upon looking up the Hebrew meaning for "rule," I found that it is translated clearly enough. However, in Proverbs 12 the idea of merely ruling over animals is tempered with the concept of caring for them as well. That is, caring for their needs, not only our needs. The King James version renders the Hebrew for "cares" as "regard for the life." To regard the life of an animal, according to the Strong’s Concordance, is to observe, care about, recognize, be diligent concerning, to understand and to have respect for the bodily or mental appetite, desires, contentment, pleasure, mind, heart, and the jeopardy of the life of the animal.

All of this amounts to a lot of responsibility—responsibility many have not accepted.

Well, if that ain’t the truth! This fact is reflected in all facets of life. As a race, humans have raped the land and exploited the animals for the sake of convenience, wealth, political power, and all other personal and national gain. Whenever I read or hear about abandoned pets in animal shelters, puppy mills, clubbing baby fur seals for their pelts, factory farming, poaching, animal extinction, clear-cutting, polluted waters, poor air quality, etc., etc., I feel a great heaviness in my heart. I’m not completely surprised at the misbehavior of unbelievers, but the apathy of many Christians has me concerned.

There are many causes today to which one can contribute time or finances and other resources. The number one cause to support for born-again Christians, of course, is the cause of Jesus Christ our Saviour. We are to be busy about living our lives for God, affecting as many people as we can with our example and testimony, as well as with the Word of God. The "world" is into many other causes, some of which are at the expense of Christ. But not all are at His expense, some even being quite complementary. Nevertheless, many Christians do not become involved in causes or organizations which do, in my opinion, fit snugly into the Christian value system. Why is that?

I believe that many Christians are paranoid of judgment should they be caught labouring for something side by side with unbelievers. Take conservationism or recycling, or environmentalism of any sort—just because someone seeks to respect and care for the earth and it’s many treasures does not make him an earth worshipper. Likewise, shopping in a health food store for groceries does not necessitate a person is "new age" or humanistic. Contributing to an animal welfare group or speaking out against the disgusting factory farming practices of our day does not mean that animals are more important or even equal to people. Obviously, some people are very much into earth worship, new age, humanism, and animal rights (as opposed to animal welfare or animal protection), but one does not have to believe that way to support many of the same things.

It is true, as Christians we need to be concerned about how our words and actions are construed by the unsaved and by each other. We want to avoid being a stumbling block to others. However, I want to encourage some balance between that and the responsibility that is ours to be wise stewards over all the earth and it’s contents. Don’t stand by limpwristed and be a passive contributor to all kinds of evil being perpetrated against the earth and living things. Please don’t participate in practices that are destructive or harmful when they can easily be avoided. Ignorance is no excuse, so don’t stick your head in the sand either. In fact, seek information and look for ways to make your life cleaner and your world a better world to live in with less suffering. As Christians, we, more than any other people, should be setting the example of how to live right and be at least near the forefront of efforts to care for God's creation.

All of us enjoy things in life that are at the expense of the land, animals, and each other. I know I do. The key is not to turn your whole life upside down overnight and make radical changes, but to start with what you know already and make changes that you can manage. Purpose in your heart to keep growing and moving forward, and keeping asking the Lord for sensitivity, wisdom and guidance.

G.D.