Stewardship of Creation
God sees and it is still good
A study of the stewardship of creation must start with an understanding of that creation. Earth, wind, water and fire were once believed to be the basic elements of the universe. This belief arose because it seemed possible to break down all aspects of creation into these primary substances. Our scientific studies have taken us a long way in unraveling the building blocks of our universe. But, we can still look at these four basic elements in a scriptural light. In fact, our life with God is very closely tied to these four elements. In Genesis, earth is at the very beginning of creation. That includes both our planet, which is called Earth, and the substance with which it is made. A little further along in the accounting, we find God creating mankind from that very earth. And we are told that from ashes we came and to ashes we will return. Water was also created very early on and is known to be a necessity for all life. The waters of the flood cleansed the Earth of sin and evil. Through the prism of rainwater God made His first covenant with us. Jesus became for us a spring of living water. And the waters of our baptism cleanse us for acceptance by God, our Father. Wind includes the air we need to breathe to sustain our earthly bodies. Our breath of life is shown to originate with God’s breathing life into all creation. This wind or breath is the very Spirit of God. Fire also reminds us of the Holy Spirit coming to the apostles in tongues of fire. But fire is also the means in which substances are tested and impurities burned away. Jesus speaks of the need for all of us to go through the cleansing waters of baptism and the refining fire of the Holy Spirit as we seek to enter His Kingdom.
So we see that creation is made of basic building blocks with Heavenly intent. We also find ourselves as an integral part of that creation by how we are created, what we need for sustaining our life, and what is necessary for the completion of our journey. As God created His universe and us, He appointed us as stewards over all of His creation. A steward is a servant, or more correctly, a slave. We have been charged with the awesome responsibility of caring for a world which we did not make and which we do not own. While we care for His creation however, God allows us to use all aspects of that creation as our own. In fact, God states that all that He has made is ours to use and enjoy.
Though I have a B. S. in Horticulture from Penn State, have worked in the nursery field for 10 years, lawn and tree care businesses for another 17 years, and am currently a Plant Inspector with the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, my understanding of the stewardship of creation comes more from my relationship with God than from my agricultural studies or experience. God has truly given us His creation to use and enjoy, as we will. As we did not make it and as we are only given a temporary time in this world, ownership still belongs to the eternal One by whose Hands it was created. Commonsense tells us to respect and take proper care of someone else’s property. Therefore, we try our best to not waste, damage, abuse, or take for granted this wonderful world in which we have been entrusted.
But, God did not give us a gift to place on a shelf and merely admire. We were blessed with His creation to use, as we need, and to enjoy. There are those who say that mankind is the problem with the environment and nature would work so much better if we were not messing things up. Some will even suggest that our own breath is polluting and destroying the planet. Well, does God’s plan for us really mean lying down to die, keeping the air purer by the absence of our breath, and nurturing the soil with our decomposing bodies? Of course not, God created and has claimed us as His children. He has put us in charge of His creation and we have no reason to feel that we are an intrusion into His plan. In fact, it would be disrespectful to God to think so.
We instead are called to enjoy and care for His creation with love and respect. But the world is ours to utilize and enjoy, not to worship. Worship is reserved for the Creator. We try our best to work with creation and nature. Using commonsense, we take what we need, but leave the rest to continue producing for future generations. As we harvest, we replant. It’s comforting to know that current statistics show that for every tree harvested in our country, three more are planted as replacements. There will be times when using the world’s resources may seem as a damaging or depleting practice. Again, commonsense and respect must prevail, but God’s creation is bigger than us and God is certainly big enough to provide for us in spite of ourselves. Some utilization of our resources may involve situations where possible, environmentally harmless consequences exist. At these times, trust in God’s omnipotence and remember Luther’s words to “sin boldly.” As Jesus taught “man was not made for the Sabbath, but the Sabbath for man.” In the same way, man is not made for creation, but God made His creation for man. We set ourselves above God when we think that we are great enough to destroy what He has created. When God completed His creation, “He saw that it was good.” Translating “that it was good” actually means that is was working properly. When God creates something and declares that it is working properly, we can be assured of eternal compliance.
As we conclude this study on the stewardship of creation, we must not forget that, as stated above, we are an integral part of that creation. Therefore, we must be good stewards of our created being. This means also using that creation. That utilization involves commonsense, respect and prayer. It is not chance that has brought us here at this place and this time. We must answer God’s call for us and make the best of this life He has given us. God has much to be accomplished through each of us. Let’s not waste any aspect of His creation.
John Piper