The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for He founded it on the seas and established it on the watersPsalm 24:1-2

Cal Beisner of the Cornwall Alliance: For the Stewardship of Creation discuss our God-ordained role of stewarding the earth.

“The earth belongs to God; any ownership we claim over it must always be recognized to be subordinate ownership, that’s why we use the term stewardship.”

Even though the term “stewardship” in relation to our use of the earth is not directly used in the Bible, it is a biblical principal.

“We think that it is okay because we don’t find the word Trinity in the Bible either, but the Bible clearly teaches that there is one God who is three person, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, that’s expressed nicely in the term Trinity.”

Taking care of the earth is a biblical command.

“The heavens are the Lord’s heavens, but the earth he has given to the children of man.” Psalm 115:16

This verse tells us that God gives humans ownership over the earth. With this great privilege comes great responsibility.

“We don’t have absolute control over what we own; we need to use it within the limits of God’s moral law so that we are not using it in a way that harms other people, dishonors God, or is in any way sinful.”

What are we supposed to do with the earth?

“…..Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” Genesis 1:28

God did not intend for humans to simply live in his creation. Instead, he wants us to work and cultivate it.

“God is a creator, God is a maker, God is a worker, and he makes us to be like him and so as we subdue the earth and exercise Godly dominion over it enhancing its fruitfulness, beauty, and safety, we are actually reflecting God, we are exercising that aspect of who we are.”

Highlight: Are we stewarding God’s creation well?

The importance of stewarding God’s creation