Stewardship & the Earth

“The Earth is the Lord’s and all it holds, the world and those who dwell in it” -Psalm 24:1-2

We don’t always do a good job of remembering this. Oftentimes we treat the world as though it all belongs to us, and not to the Divine’s that has been entrusted to us to care for it. And yet scripture tells us that we have been called by God to “cultivate and take care of” the garden in which we live (Genesis 2:15). 

As the church we talk a lot about stewardship especially surrounding the budgeting season. But being good at stewardship not only means with our financial resources and our time but it also means being good with our care for what has been entrusted to care for; CREATION.

For the first time in Earth’s history, a single species is the primary cause of a mass extinction. We humans are changing the planet in ways that are causing species to die out faster than ever. The normal rate of extinction is one species every four years. Today, species are going extinct at the rate of 30,00 per year. That is approximately 4 species an hour or 82 species every day. 

It doesn’t sound like we are caring for what we have been entrusted with very well if we are losing more species than we should be. So how can you or your church help? Two easy steps (it doesn’t have to be all you do but it is a great place to start)

Plan a trip to a national wildlife refuge, park or other open space. (Try to carpool if you can). Scientists tell us that the best way to protect endangered species is to protect that place where they live. While you are there you find out and teach others about all the wonderful life that lives near you! Maybe even as a church sponsor pollinator garden in your area. Or turn your church yard into one! According to the Federal Fish and Wildlife pollinators are the engine that runs healthy habitats.

Recycle and buy sustainable products. You can buy recycled paper for your office. Or my favorite when I was in youth ministry was to send notes on elephant poop paper. (The middle schoolers always got a kick out of it at camp!) You use compostable paper plates, spoons, forks, etc if you aren’t already kicking it old school and washing dishes in the church kitchen again. Or maybe you have weekly coffee at church, switch it up to use fair trade or join the sustainable coffee movement. 

If we all make small changes at home and at church we can make a difference and reclaim our Christian identity as caretakers of all that God has made.