Caring for the environment can feel like a purely political issue, but the Bible frames it very differently. It begins not with policy but with worship, because the earth belongs to God, who made it and called it good. He entrusted it to human beings to care for, which makes stewardship of creation a matter of faithfulness to our Maker.
The short answer
The Bible teaches that God created the earth, still owns it, and gave humanity the responsibility to tend and keep it. Our dominion over creation is a stewardship, a call to care for it wisely as caretakers under God, not to exploit or ruin it. How we treat the earth reflects our respect for the God who made it.
The earth belongs to God
Scripture is clear that the world and everything in it is the Lord's. We are stewards, not owners.
"The earth is the LORD's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein."Psalm 24:1
Creation itself declares the glory of the God who made it, giving it a value beyond mere usefulness to us.
"The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork."Psalm 19:1
Dominion means responsible care
God gave humanity dominion over the earth, but the pattern He set was one of tending and keeping, not exploiting.
"And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it."Genesis 2:15
The Bible shows that a righteous person even considers the wellbeing of animals under his care.
"A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel."Proverbs 12:10
Creation waits for redemption
The Bible teaches that creation was affected by human sin and now longs, along with us, for God's restoration.
"For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now."Romans 8:22
Yet the ultimate hope is not despair over the earth but God's promise to make all things new.
"And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful."Revelation 21:5
A common misunderstanding
Some read dominion as permission to use the earth however we please, while others make the environment into an object of worship. The Bible corrects both. Dominion in Scripture is caretaking, dressing and keeping the garden, not plundering it. At the same time, we worship the Creator, not the creation. Caring for the earth is real obedience, an expression of loving God and loving our neighbors who share this world. Christians may differ on specific policies, but the principle is plain. We are trustees of a world that belongs to God, and one day He Himself will renew it.
You are welcome to talk with us
Whether you love the outdoors or you are simply curious how faith touches everyday life, we would enjoy talking with you about the God who made it all. Please reach out any time, or come and visit us this Sunday here in Greenwood.