One of my favorite shows on TV these days is Whale Wars. I really enjoy watching these environmentalists try to save the lives of defenseless whales. It is quality entertainment. I find myself rooting for both sides (the Japanese whalers and the Sea Shepherds). However, I must ask myself the question: "Who's right?" As a Christian, should I be protecting marine life or eating it? As with all life questions, I turn to Scripture for the answer.
Genesis 1 gives us the account of creation; verses 26-31 describe the creation of man along with the cultural mandate. Genesis 1:28 says, "And God blessed them. And God said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.'" God has assigned man (read mankind, or humans) the task of taking care of the planet and everything in it. Surely he has also provided plants and animals as our source of nourishment (see verses 29-30), but our main job regarding the earth is to manage it well.
I've heard many people - even within the Church - talk about tree-huggers, animal-lovers, and hippies with a sense of disdain. Some who would thirst to death before taking a sip of wine, gossip unceasingly about those, perhaps misguided, whale-lovers. But if God has given man the responsibility to take care of the earth shouldn't Christians be leading the charge for Green Living?
The main difference in the approach between Christians and the green crowd should be motive. Christians are to take care of the planet because it was made by God and we have been commanded to do so. I am not worried about what might happen if we destroy our planet; I know where I'll be when I die. However, I am worried about offending Almighty God!
So do not be so quick to dismiss the tree-hugger community; they may be acting more "Christianly" than the Church. We can all find areas of needless waste in our lives. I do believe that we please God when we live simply and thoughtfully. We can start by questioning our daily activities. Find areas of excess and cut them out. Think biblically (this assumes you have knowledge of the Bible) about the things you do every day. At the very least perhaps we will begin to appreciate those who have chosen to live "greener" than ourselves. Appreciation will lead to love for our neighbor, which is the second greatest commandment. Unless we have this love for our neighbor, we cannot possibly love God.
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