A Call to Good Stewardship
The state of our climate is an increasing conversation these days. It’s important to be armed with a Biblical worldview so as to not be led astray. As followers of Christ, it is dangerous territory when we allow secularists, who by no means believe that the earth is God’s creation, tell us how it is to be stewarded. Make no mistake, climate and science is a religion of its own. (See Romans 1). The climate has been changing from the beginning of time, and we have no evidence that the issues most commonly focused on will have any long-term damage to human life. While there is certainly room for discussion regarding different areas of environmentalism—such as fracking, greenhouse gas emissions, and plastic use—what is not up for debate is the truth and authority of God’s word. God is not the author of confusion. He is a gracious God who laid out His plans for us in His word. We know how the world is going to end, and it’s not going to be because we used one too many plastic baggies. It is not going to be destroyed by weather or a rise in sea levels. Christ is returning to destroy the wicked and then to restore and establish a new earth, and new kingdom.
Now, on the flipside, just because we don’t view the change in climate as a crisis, doesn’t mean that we should ignore that God’s creation has been abused with our rise in technology and modern advancements. I think conservatives and Christians would do well to fess up to our lack of care in this area. In my humble opinion, where we went wrong was trading small farms and community efforts for large corporations and convenience culture.
We now get our food from big name companies that care about one thing—profit. They use dangerous chemicals in the growing process which then pollutes our soil, water, and air. They genetically modify plants and animals. Chemicals are also used in production, which then further pollutes the soil, water, and air. That food is then wrapped in plastic, shipped great distances, releasing many carbon emissions, just to reach our grocery store shelves. Not to mention the “food” that is not even food, like PUFAs and high fructose corn syrup and artificial flavors. We don’t know how to grow our own food or cook our own food so we are dependant on buying what the stores offer. The cycle repeats itself on and on and on.
What we need is not a revamp of how we get energy in our homes or for everyone to get a bike instead of a car, or force veganism on the entire world…what we need is a return to local agrarian lifestyles.
Instead, we learn to grow our own food, or if we don’t have the space, we find local farmers to purchase from. Whether it be vegetables or meat or dairy or eggs or maple syrup. We learn how to make our own bread with 4 ingredients rather than buying loaves with 18 ingredients at the store. We eat seasonally, locally, and support those in our community that value the same. We ditch toxins and man-made chemicals in our home and refuse to support the companies that are profiting off of making us sick.
Using less plastic, creating less waste…all of that is simply a result of moving back towards the roots of a simpler and softer life. It is not how we get there. It is the result.
Why does this matter? It matters because we are called to be good stewards of God’s creation. However it is not something we are threatened into. It is not something we are fear-mongered into. It is a desire that grows out of our love for Christ. If we care about the earth, if we care about the animals, then it’s up to us to do something about it at an individual and local level—not waiting around for government policies that do more harm than good in the name of “sustainability”. Those in power do not see creation as God’s. It is viewed as theirs to use, to worship, and to control and they do not get to be the judge of what God-glorifying sustainability looks like.
If forced sustainability such as the Green New Deal or Agenda 21 really happen, then we lose all freedom to fit true sustainability into our own season of life how we see fit. Your sustainable efforts will not look the same as the next persons because we all live different lives. We all have different financial situations and living situations. And therefore what we can all do to make a difference will vary. Rejoice—this is good news! The burden of “saving the world” is not on your shoulders. We have a King that is returning to rule, reign, and restore! Instead, you are called to do your very small part in whatever way He is calling you to be faithful.
Our desire to be a good steward of His creation is rooted in eternal value, not in fear that the world is going to blow up. This takes our anxious toil and turns it into a beautiful act of obedience.