Message #13386

[Jitendra Hy-do-u-no-us?]

Earth & Animals Stewardship

Q.What does the bible teach us about being good stewards of the earth and animals? Please include scripture references. I believe with all my heart that God created man to be good stewards of His creation until the day He calls us home. The earth and everything that breathes the air, drinks the water and every other thing, are that creation.

I feel as Christians we should do what we can to preserve and protect God's creation rather than to cause harm and destroy. Then we can also be comforted in knowing we did our best to care for and nurture His glorious creation as He would have done. We need to remember Matthew 10:29 - that even the sparrow does not fall to the ground without His notice. Isn't that awesome? When we stand before God in judgment we do not want Him to ask us why we stood idle and let so many sparrows fall.

Animals were a part of Eden that God called "good" (Gen. 1:25). The Bible affirms from beginning to end that animals have souls. In Genesis 1:20, 24, we find the Hebrew word for "soul" (nephesh) used of animals. This word refers to the appetites and desires of all living things, including the drives for sex and for food. Revelation 8:9 uses the Greek word for "soul" (psuchas) in reference to sea creatures - although this word can sometimes have the meaning of "physical life."