Tim Maas Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

First of all, I would say that the Bible indicates from its very beginning that the earth and its resources did not just appear, but were created by God (Genesis 1).

God then assigned to humans the responsibility to tend and care for His creation (Genesis 2:15). Humans are therefore accountable to God with regard to their performance of this function.

The command of God to be fruitful and multiply (Genesis 1:28-30) also implies that humans are not to be short-sighted or selfish in the regard, but are to keep in mind the needs of all inhabitants of earth, and also of future generations yet unborn. 

While some aspects of creation are renewable (such as the seasonal production of food items, or of materials such as wool or cotton), others are not. This also requires that humans be wise in their stewardship of them, and always consider both the short-term and long-term effects of their actions on the supply of these items, both with regard to the available quantity of the items themselves, and the impact of the use that humans make of them on the current and future environment.

Having noted all that, I would also say that God created these resources for humans' use for His glory and purposes. While they are important, they are not in and of themselves in any way "holy" or "divine", to be worshipped (as with the "earth goddess" Gaia, for example); placed on a par with their Creator; or regarded as of greater priority than genuine human needs, just as financial resources are not to be squandered or hoarded, or to take the place of God (Matthew 25:14-30; Matthew 6:19-21, 24).

July 12 2017 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report