Between World Wildlife Day (March 3), International Day of Forests (March 21), and World Water Day (March 22), there are plenty of reasons to honor and celebrate God’s creation. But can we truly honor His creation if we are not also caring for it?
For Christians, caring for the earth is not a peripheral issue or a passing cultural trend—it flows directly from foundational biblical truths about God, humanity, and redemption. Stewardship is an expression of obedience to God, love for our neighbors, and reverence for all He has made.
Stewardship does not mean ownership
In Genesis, God entrusts His creation to humanity, calling us to “work” and “take care” of the garden [Genesis 2:15]. These words imply cultivation and protection. It means using the resources God has given us with responsibility.
Stewardship in the Bible means managing something that belongs to God, and Scripture repeatedly affirms that “the earth is the Lord’s” [Psalm 24:1], created by Him and deemed good. When Christians care for the environment, they acknowledge and respect God’s ownership and resist the temptation to abuse it for human consumption and profit.
Caring for the earth is an act of faithfulness, respects what ultimately belongs to God, and honors His trust.
Creation reflects God’s character and glory
The natural world reveals God’s power, creativity, and order [Psalm 19:1; Romans 1:20]. Swaying fields of wildflowers, a rainbow at the bottom of a waterfall, a self-sustaining ecosystem, sweet and loving house pets—all these things are expressions of God’s vast creativity and intentionality.
Damaging creation distorts God’s witness; preserving it allows future generations to experience wonder, gratitude, and reverence toward the Creator.
Environmental care is a matter of loving our neighbor
Environmental harm often affects the poor and vulnerable first—through polluted water, unhealthy air, food scarcity, or climate instability. Jesus’ command to love our neighbor includes protecting the conditions that allow people to live healthy, dignified lives. As such, Stewardship is an act of compassion.
Stewardship shapes Christian witness
We reflect God in how we care for the earth and those around us. Thoughtful care demonstrates humility, self-restraint, and gratitude—virtues that reflect Christ. Neglect or exploitation can undermine Christian witness by suggesting indifference to God’s creation and human suffering.
Caring for the earth anticipates God’s future restoration
As Christians, our hope shouldn’t be in escape from the world but the renewal of it. Scripture teaches that humanity subjects creations to destruction, but it will be redeemed [Romans 8:19–21].
However, while God promises to renew creation, believers are called to live in ways that anticipate that renewal [Luke 12:40-44]. When Christians care for the earth now, they live in alignment with God’s promised future, offering a foretaste of restoration.
Gratitude leads to responsibility
Creation is a gift meant to be received with thanksgiving. Gratitude naturally leads to care, restraint, and wise use of resources. Christians honor God when they treat His gifts with reverence and care rather than selfishness and wastefulness [Matthew 25:14-30].
Taken together, caring for the earth is a beautiful expression of Christian faith—one that combines worship, obedience, justice, and hope. It’s not about elevating creation above God, but about honoring God by faithfully tending what He has made.
