As we consider the world we live in today, the need for a biblical perspective on environmental stewardship is more crucial than ever.
In 2022, the Pew Research Center released data on how religion intersects with Americans’ views on the environment, particularly Christian beliefs. The findings were worthy of a pause for concern:
- While 58% of Americans believe that Holy Scripture contains lessons about the environment, the interpretation of those lessons reveals a gap in understanding.
- Two-thirds of respondents (66%) said that God gave humans a duty to protect and care for the Earth, including its plants and animals.
- Yet, a smaller majority (54%) also said God gave humans the right to use the Earth for humanity’s benefit — and nearly half (48%) hold both views.
Yikes! It appears that only half of Christians in our country have cracked open a Bible to learn God’s truth about our role as stewards of His creation. These findings reveal that many Christians lack a solid biblical worldview, and this disconnect is deeply troubling. The Church today faces a challenge — instilling a proper understanding of creation care that begins with the Creator Himself.
First and foremost, we must instill a deep desire to never lose sight of our greatest responsibility: sharing the Gospel and saving souls. While environmental stewardship is important, we are called to worship the Creator, not the creation. It’s the Great Commission that commands us to go and make disciples, and that’s our ultimate priority.
The sanctity of life and the creation of mankind in God’s image is what made creation “very good” (Genesis 1:31). The sticker on my laptop — featuring a baby panda holding a sign that reads “save the baby humans” — is a constant reminder to me (and those I work with!) of our priorities as Christians.
Our Culture Focuses on the Earth, but Rarely its Creator
In our tenuous political landscape, it can feel like one side of the partisan aisle “owns” the right to steward the earth. With political arguments, breathless filibustering, and fear-mongering, young people are left feeling confused, fearful, and divided. Rather than avoiding conversations about the environment with the younger generation for fear of disagreement, engage with your kids. Today, in the U.S., young people designate environmental issues as the number one issue on the voting ballot.
In fact, recent data shares that around 70% of people aged 16-25 are extremely worried or very worried about the climate. Fear, confusion, division — these are schemes of the enemy. Good news — in Genesis 50:19-21, the Holy Word tells us that what the enemy meant for evil (namely, in this case, fear), God turns for good.
Together we can take control of this fear and instead motivate our children and youth to work for change that honors God and their neighbors. They can practice an eco-conscious lifestyle while pointing back to the why behind their what, or rather, the Who behind their responsible stewardship! Young people can and should consider how their actions today can affect the well-being of others around the world, motivating them to make choices that promote sustainability and compassion towards all creation.
Today’s culture will not instill a biblical worldview in your children — instead, if left to the world, each of us would come away with a mishmash of ideas, some in direct contradiction to the Truths God establishes in His Word. We are surrounded by ideas, voices, and diversity of thought more than ever before — is Sunday service the only place your kids are hearing God’s Truth?
Through the work of engaged parents, committed ministry leaders, and dedicated educators, we can give our kids the “Godly goggles” it takes to see through culture’s opinions to discover God’s unshakeable Truth. At American Heritage Girls, we are committed to raising Godly girls with a firm understanding of Biblical Truths. Teaching environmental stewardship through this lens is essential. We are called to care for the earth, but more importantly, to reflect God’s glory in doing so.
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Dilok Klaisataporn
Patti Garibay is the founder and executive director of American Heritage Girls, (AHG, www.AmericanHeritageGirls.org), a national Christ-centered leadership and character development program. For nearly three decades, AHG has been at the forefront of countering the culture by leading girls and women to create lives of integrity. Patti is the author of Why Curse the Darkness When You Can Light A Candle?, a story of trust and obedience to inspire those who desire to make Kingdom impact yet struggle with the fear of inadequacy. Patti is the host of the Raising Godly Girls (RGG) podcast and “Raising Godly Girls” one-minute radio feature which helps to equip, affirm and strengthen girls with timely Scripture-based advice.
