Staying Ahead of the Environmental Curve

Good morning, everyone! Welcome to another Sabbath day. I certainly appreciate the Sabbath each week to bring us back into focus with God and His Word. Thank you very much to the ABC chorale. Great job! Was that the first performance for this year's class so far? Yeah, very good. It's really coming together. Almost the entire class is in the chorale, so that's great.

And thank you for two very inspiring numbers. Really appreciate that and for your time and effort. And of course, here at the office, we hear them practicing and see them practicing every week for hours at a time, so it's really paying off. So thank you very much, guys. Really appreciate that. America Recycles Day was observed on November 15th, just six days ago. So last weekend was America Recycles Day. It is the only nationally recognized day dedicated to encouraging Americans to recycle and to buy recycled products.

Celebrating its 12th year, it has grown to include millions of Americans pledging to increase their recycling habits. Now, in a slightly related vein, Earth Day 2009 was held back in April, April 22nd, and it marked the beginning of the Green Generation Campaign, which will also be the focus of the 40th anniversary of Earth Day in 2010.

With negotiations for a new global climate agreement coming up in December, you may have seen ads for it on TV, Earth Day 2009 was a day of action and civic participation to defend the Green Generation's core principles. So what about Earth Day? What about America Recycles Day? The Church of God, in many respects, has been on the forefront of ideas and efforts to take care of our planet.

You may remember a booklet published by the Worldwide Church of God more than four decades ago titled, Our Polluted Planet. And as God's people, we recognize the need to preserve and protect our fragile ecosystem. But sadly, Christianity in general has received a bad rap on this subject. Let's look into the correct environmental approach we should have as sons and daughters in God's family.

We're not talking about radical environmentalism, but the biblical topic of caring for our planet as God intended. What can we do? What should we do? And I've titled this sermon today, Staying Ahead of the Environmental Curve, because in many respects, the Church of God has been ahead of efforts to look after and care for our planet.

So staying ahead of the environmental curve. Strangely and perhaps unbelievably, in our society today, Christianity is seen as being responsible for our environmental and ecological crisis. Some say that Christianity teaches that man has the right to plunder the earth for his selfish interests. And anti-Christian groups proclaim that if the earth is going to remain a place where life can exist, we humans must renounce the Christian religion.

And it is true that some authorities blame Christianity for our current environmental problems. But what should be our response to this accusation? Can this be refuted? Some have asserted that we must return to pre-Christian religion, religions which venerated nature. How do we strike a balance between radical environmentalism and using the earth's resources responsibly? Here's a website about Hinduism and ecology that I came across.

We find some of the teachings of a major non-Christian faith here on this website. And here is what is said about nature and our environment in Hinduism. The article is titled, Hinduism and Ecology, Kindle the Spirit, Venerate Nature. It's the name of the article. It goes on to say, the five basic elements soil, water, fire, sky and air from which life has emerged have all been objects of worship, forming an integral part of Indian tradition. The elements are deified. They're like God. As they are believed to be protectors of life.

We regard our rivers as we would our own mother. We worship them. When we float a lamp on the dancing waves of the holy Ganga, Yamuna or Kaveri, we are only paying tribute to them. Worshipping them is only an expression of our gratitude for all that they have given us. And so some faiths do actually worship nature, worship the creation, worship animals. According to Wikipedia, in the United States, the beginnings of an environmental movement can be traced as far back as 1739, when Benjamin Franklin and other Philadelphia residents, citing public rights, petitioned the Pennsylvania Assembly to stop waste dumping and remove tanneries from Philadelphia's commercial district.

Obviously a good approach. Wikipedia goes on to say the U.S. movement expanded in the 1800s out of concerns for protecting the natural resources of the West, with individuals such as John Muir and Henry David Thoreau making key philosophical contributions. And then it concludes, Muir came to believe in nature's inherent right, especially after spending time hiking in Yosemite Valley and studying both the ecology and geology. The conservationist principles, as well as the belief in inherent right of nature, were to become the bedrock of modern environmentalism.

Nature has inherent rights. So we see some religions worship nature, and some conservationists even believe that nature has rights, and animals have rights. So what is the balance? In the 1960s, the World Tomorrow Program took an early, ahead of the curve, shall we say, environmental stance, decades ahead of most of the Christian community.

The booklet I mentioned, Our Polluted Planet, was published in 1968, and it addressed the scriptural blind spot that much of Christianity had adopted towards ecological themes. And the booklet proclaimed in its conclusion at the end, Adam was told to dress and keep, not pollute and rape and ruin, his surroundings. And the booklet was proclaiming a truth that much of Christianity was not at that time.

Even Ambassador College in East Texas pushed the Church of God and Ambassador College into a greener direction. The Texas campus used its farm-based location as a prototypical experimental environment for addressing some of the ecological concerns. You may remember the digester, you've heard about the digester that was on campus, that could take trash and process it and turn it into compost in very fast fashion. Today we want to see and use the scripture as our benchmark in discussing this topic. We're not going to look at Eastern religion or superstition, because as we've noted there are extreme positions on both ends of the environmental spectrum, from worshipping nature to others who abuse nature.

The Church of God understands and should understand, we should understand, the balance required to take care of our planet. And so I've put together five points for us to take note of here. The first one is, what was the original instruction? What was the original instruction to us? Let's go back to Genesis 2 and verse 15. Genesis 2 and verse 15.

Back to the original instruction given to the first man and woman about their relationship to the environment. Genesis 2 verse 15, you'll notice, then the Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to tend and keep it. The King James Version says, to dress and keep it. What does tend mean? Merriam-Websters defines tend as to listen to, pay attention, and to apply oneself as a servant or a manager of operations. A manager of operations. So what does keep mean? Webster defines keep as to take notice of by appropriate conduct, to fulfill and to faithfully watch over and defend.

So we manage and we watch over and defend what God has given us. The instruction here in Genesis 2.15 is to protect and preserve God's creation because it is special and created by God. So this was the original instruction given to Adam and Eve. And the word keep in Genesis 2.15 infers that one role of mankind is that of faithful protector or watchman over God's creation. And when the meanings of tend and keep are combined, it should be noted that when God placed Adam and Eve in the Garden, he wanted mankind to manage and care for his creation, as well as watch over and protect it.

He didn't say where to worship the creation. He said where to watch over and protect it and manage it. And this instruction from God was not self-serving or solely for the sake of his creation. It wasn't so that for the total benefit just of the creation. Rather, God understood that mankind would benefit from doing this, benefit from tending and keeping the Garden of Eden and the earth. Proverbs 27 verse 18 says, whoever keeps the fig tree will eat its fruit.

The word keeps in Proverbs 27 verse 18 is the same as the one found in Genesis chapter 2. He who watches over and protects the creation will eat from its fruit. That's for our benefit to follow God's instruction in this regard. Genesis chapter 2, especially verse 15, does not give people the right to indiscriminately damage, pollute or destroy this planet.

But some say that Christianity is the cause of today's pollution. And some critics point to Genesis chapter 1 verse 28. Let's turn to Genesis chapter 1 and go back a page. They say that this is evidence that Christianity is to blame for the pollution of the planet. Genesis 1, let's start in verse 26.

Genesis 1 verse 26. Then God said, Let us make man in our image according to our likeness, let them have dominion over the fish of the sea. The Bible in better English says, Let them rule over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth. Some people say, See, God of the Bible says you're supposed to rule over that creation.

Rule over those fish. Verse 28. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, Be fruitful and multiply, fill the earth and subdue it. The Bible in basic English says, Be masters of it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea.

Rule over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves on the earth. That's how some people would say it should be read. But verse 28 means absolutely no language that instructs mankind to pollute or plunder the earth. What is contained in this verse is a command for mankind to fill or replenish the earth.

The King James Version says in verse 28, Fulfill to replenish. What does replenish mean? It doesn't mean to pollute and abuse it. God expects mankind to sustain and look after and replenish what he has given us. And of course, it's not only Christians that use the resources of the earth. Everybody uses the resources of the earth. We can't only blame Christians for polluting and plundering our planet. But here's the key. True Christians will manage, replenish, and sustain the environment. They will dress and keep it. And that was the original instruction as we stay ahead of the environmental curve today.

Second question or second point is, did God intend for the earth to remain in its natural state? Did God intend for the earth to remain in its natural state? Just let it go wild. Don't touch it. That brings up an additional question. What does the command to subdue mean when Adam and Eve are told to subdue the earth? What does it mean to be masters over it?

Does it mean to rule over the planet with an iron fist of some kind? It doesn't, as we know. Remember that God calls his creation very good. And so, in this context, what could subdue mean? This command implies that God did not intend for the earth to remain in its natural state in every case. But as you may know, this conflicts with the commonly held understanding of today's environmentalism movement.

God planted a garden, which of course included trees in Eden, and told Adam and Eve to work and preserve it, to replenish it. Humans are to follow their creator's example and plant gardens. As the human population grows and spreads over the earth, we don't just leave nature to itself in every situation. There's a time for pruning, for clearing, for thinning, depending on the circumstances and placement of the land.

And in this context, Genesis 1.28, the word subdue would mean bring into subjection, or bring into bondage, bring into line with what is needed. God created the plant kingdom to be able to grow and produce. And the writings of Genesis guide mankind to follow God's example and plant gardens as they inhabit and fill the earth. The creator provided an excellent learning situation there in the Garden of Eden. And Adam and Eve were shown that the earth could sustain their physical needs if they would care for it. If they would look after it, it would sustain all of their needs.

It's interesting that even after their sin of disobeying God, even when they were barred from the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve were told in Genesis 3 that the earth would still support them. But with more toil and pain this time, it wouldn't be quite so easy. And as mankind did spread across the earth, gardening and hunting had to follow for survival.

It cannot all remain in its natural state. Just like my son's bedroom cannot remain in its natural state. He's not here right now. He'll be here this afternoon. So we stay ahead of the environmental curve. We realize that the planet was intended for us to use, to feed us, and for us to appreciate. Thirdly, to whom does the earth belong? To whom does the earth belong?

Is it ours? Has God given it to us to do with it whatever we will? Psalm 24, verse 1. Let's turn over there for a moment as we look at this question. To whom does the earth belong? Psalm 24, verses 1 and 2. Psalm 24, verse 1. The earth is the Lord's and all its fullness. The world and those who dwell therein.

For he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters. Everything we have is God's. Even our own life belongs to God. The earth is the Lord's and all its fullness, everything. There's an interesting passage that in the first chapter of the book of Job, where Job, of course, realized this. If you have a moment to turn over to Job chapter 1 and read verses 20 and 21 with me. Job 1, verse 20. Job arose, tore his robe, shaved his head and fell to the ground and worshiped God and said, verse 21, Naked I came from my mother's womb and naked shall I return there.

The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord. Job states that we enter and leave life with nothing, not even our clothes survive. Everything is from God. So if God owns everything, how can mankind have dominion over the earthly creation? What is meant by having dominion and subduing the creation? The answer lies in the concept of stewardship, management. Let's turn to Matthew chapter 25 for a moment, starting in verse 14.

Let's look at the concept of stewardship. Matthew 25, verse 14. We'll read through to verse 21. We won't read the whole parable. Verses 14 through 21. For the kingdom of heaven, writes Matthew, quoting Christ, Matthew 25, verse 14, is like a man traveling to a far country who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. Here's what the servants were asked to do, Matthew 25, verse 15.

And to one he gave five talents to another two and to another one, to each according to his own ability, and immediately he went on a journey. Then he had received the five talents, went and traded with them, and made another five talents. Made some profit. And likewise, he had received two, gained two more also. A hundred percent profit. But he had received one, went and dug in the ground, and hid his Lord's money. Verse 19. After a long time, the Lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, Lord, you delivered to me five talents.

Look, I've gained five more talents besides them. His Lord said to him, well done, good and faithful servant. You are faithful over a few things. I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord. You see, the point of the parable is, a faithful steward utilizes the resources entrusted to him.

He develops them. He works with them. He even makes profit from them. Humankind was given a special role in nature that no other being has. Mankind's position in nature is ordained by God, and God fitted humans for that position by creating people in his image with superior capabilities, with intelligence, and even with an aesthetic sense to appreciate beauty, something the animal kingdom doesn't have. And because of his position of dominance, man is responsible to God for how he rules or dominates these resources.

It's a lesson in stewardship. God wants to see how we will take care of what he's given us. We are not owners. God owns everything. But we are managers of this earth. The parable in Matthew 25 deals with how well we manage what we are given by God. On a spiritual sense, yes, but also on a physical sense. A good manager will invest and cultivate and grow and expand what he's been given. All along, without being wasteful or destructive. Good manager is not destructive of his resources.

A manager who is hired and does not produce is considered lazy, as the parable actually goes on to show further on. The Proverbs tell us he who has a slack hand becomes poor. If you don't work, you don't eat. But the hand of the diligent makes rich. So when you work with the resources you've been given, you benefit from it. And we have been given a special role to be able to cultivate and use the resources of the earth.

We've been created to appreciate beauty, art, and taste. We love the beauty of the creation. We can critically reflect on art, on culture, and even on nature. Turn to Hosea with me and look at how nature can even make us feel. The benefit, the uplifting characteristics, the joy of nature. Hosea chapter 14, verse 4 is where we'll start. Hosea chapter 14, verse 4. Hosea 14, verse 4. I will heal with their backsliding. I will love them freely, for my anger has turned away from him.

This is a restoration here, a healing. In verse 5, God says, I will be like the dew to Israel. Something good, something beautiful. He shall grow like the lily and lengthen his roots like Lebanon. His branches shall spread. His beauty shall be like an olive tree and his fragrance like Lebanon. Those who dwell under his shadow, the shadow of that tree shall return. They shall be revived like grain and grow like a vine.

Their scent shall be like the wine of Lebanon. Appreciating nature, enjoying what God has given to us. God put Adam and Eve in a garden, no less. A botanical garden, as you know, has a calming, quieting effect on us. What a loss to humanity if we besmirch or destroy that which is sublime and beautiful in the earth.

God owns it, but we are his operation managers. We are his stewards to look after those resources. Successful businesses have known for a long time that one's environment affects worker productivity. It can even affect worker morale. Many Fortune 500 companies have interior landscaping because they find that attractive, floral arrangements make for employee contentment and even better productivity. And a close look at God's creation can create a sense of awe from the tiny molecular level to the cosmic.

A complexity in design can be quickly realized. People have different aesthetic tastes, but almost all of us enjoy nature. And it's a wonderful resource that God has given to us to appreciate. The earth belongs to God, but we are his stewards over it. And we must appreciate what he's provided for us, and tend and keep it and look after it and stay ahead of the environmental curve of destruction. And I'm bringing this subject up today because, as I said, Recycle Day was last weekend and is a big push today in many respects good for taking care of our environment.

But there is a radical part to it as well that we need to be aware of. Now here's something that you won't hear from the environmentalists. And it's point four. Can sin affect nature? Can sin affect nature? Colossians chapter 1 verse 16 is a good starting point. Let's flip over to Colossians chapter 1 verse 16 as we look at can sin affect nature?

Colossians 1 16.

For by him, talking of Jesus Christ, all things were created that are in heaven and that are on the earth, visible and invisible. For the thrones or dominions or principalities or powers, everything was created by him. As the verse concludes, all things were created through him and for him.

The creation was created through God and for God. And this verse demonstrates a God-centered approach.

Mankind did not create the earth.

God did. And it's a God-centered approach.

If the earth and all that is in it, including mankind, was made by God and for God, and if he retains ownership, as we said a moment ago, then we have to look for God's values and God's ethics and God's standards to properly manage the earth.

And so what about sin?

Because this is an additional element to consider, that we will not hear espoused by most of today's environmentalists as they try and care for the planet.

And so how does mankind's sins affect nature?

Hosea chapter 4. Let's turn back to the Old Testament for a moment. Hosea chapter 4 and verse 1. Hosea chapter 4 and verse 1.

Hear the word of the Lord, you children of Israel, for the Lord brings a charge against the inhabitants of the land. He's upset. There is no truth or mercy or knowledge of God in the land. So here's a society that has forgotten God. Verse 2.

So Hosea is talking about a sinful society here. So what's the result? Verse 3.

How can humanity truly solve its environmental problems while transgressing God's law?

Ultimately, it can't. The earth will suffer because of man's sins. There's no way around it.

Ultimately, the earth will suffer. The greatest efforts of humankind to preserve the planet will not succeed in a society that is swearing, lying, killing, stealing, committing adultery, and breaking all restraint, is what we're told here. At some point, mankind's sins can be so severe that nature is affected. The planet is affected. And the first way can be a direct intervention by God himself, such as is found here in Isaiah chapter 4. The people of the land of Israel had turned their back on God here, and as a result, the land and the sea were cursed. And we see this will even happen in the future. Even in the millennium, it could happen that the land and sea will be cursed if mankind continues to disobey.

You remember the passage from Zechariah? It shall be, the river will not come up from all the families of the earth to Jerusalem to worship the king, the lord of hosts. Even on then there shall be no rain. And so, even in the millennium, if you don't come up to worship the king of kings, your country, your land will have no rain, and the earth will suffer as a result of your sin, even in the millennium. And of course, eventually mankind will turn to worship the king.

A second way mankind's sins can affect nature is simply by the physical result of not caring for the planet. So it can be from sin, and it can be just simply from not caring. This can include overhunting, overfishing, or pollution. Whether an adverse effect on nature is caused by natural results of sin, or divine intervention can of course can only be known eventually by God. But it is up to each of us to avoid the sins that may create the adverse effects from either.

Sin can affect our environment.

Let's here, as point five, look at five helpful principles from God on managing our environment.

We know the creation is God's. We know that everything belongs to God, but He has left us here to manage it, care for it, look after it, replenish it. So then what can we do?

Five principles here, and they're not completely new to you, but you may notice a couple of twists here and there. And the first one is fairly obvious at first, and that is number five, point A, a Sabbath rest. And Leviticus chapter 25 tells us in the first four verses, let's turn to Leviticus 25 verses 1 through 4, and of course, read, speak to the children of Israel and say to them, when you come into the land which I give you, then the land shall keep a Sabbath to the Lord. Not the people, yes, you keep a Sabbath, but guess what? The land will keep a Sabbath as well. Six years you shall sow your field, and six years you shall prune your vineyard and gather its fruit. But in the seventh year there shall be a Sabbath of solemn rest for the land, a Sabbath to the Lord. You shall neither sow your field nor prune your vineyard. And it has since been proven that there is a benefit to agricultural land resting.

This verse implies that if we're not careful, we can ruin the land for future crops, and we should be concerned about sustaining the land. After all, that's what Adam and Eve are told to sustain it, to replenish it. Chapter 25 here, verse 5, over Leviticus, What grows of its own accord of your harvest you shall not reap, nor gather the grapes of your untended vine, for it is a year of rest for the land. And the Sabbath produce of the land shall be food for you, for your male and female servants, your hired man and the stranger who dwells with you, for your livestock and the beasts that are in your land, all its produce shall be for food. So whatever grows naturally that seventh year is what you to take and use and eat.

These verses describe an if-then relationship. If mankind follows God's command to observe a Sabbath land rest, then mankind will be blessed with an increase of food. And modern research has supported the idea of land resting, and has demonstrated that most soil that is not rested becomes nutrient-deficient and requires artificial methods of fertilizing to keep the food growing properly. Now today, many do not see the land as belonging to God, as do all things. Farmers must consider the sustainability of the land to properly care for it. And so in the Church of God, we know how to stay ahead of the environmental curve in this aspect as well. Let's look at another principle of God on managing our environment, point 5b, waste disposal. And we're going to look at a very simple case here in Deuteronomy chapter 23. When it comes to waste disposal, we're going to extend beyond what the verse says here. Deuteronomy 23 verse 12, a basic human need. Also, you shall have a place outside the camp where you may go out. But Deuteronomy 23 verse 13 now. And you shall have an implement among your equipment, and when you sit down outside, you shall dig with it and turn and cover your refuse. Now that's the basic principle, covering human waste. But we can extend from that. God tells us to bury our waste away from our homes. How would this apply to production of toxic industrial waste? Would it be wise to build homes downwind of smokestacks emitting poisonous gases? You see, what's the principle here in the Bible? Would God's law permit passing harmful liquid waste into lakes and rivers? No. Toxic industrial waste can certainly even be more harmful than human waste. Therefore, it would be unwise to release these wastes where they would end up where an individual lives. If the wastes are knowingly released, where it would harm others, it would harm the population, that would violate God's command to love your neighbors yourself.

And so, waste disposal and how to properly do it, not just human waste, but even toxic industrial waste, is an important principle in caring for our environment and looking after the human population. Here's another environmental principle you may not have considered. It's actually an interesting idea. No industry one day every week. And it takes us to Exodus chapter 35, verses 2 and 3.

No industrial fires one day every week is how we would get from this verse. Exodus 35 verse 2.

Works shall be done for six days, but the seventh day shall be a holy day for you, a Sabbath rest to the Lord. Whoever does any work on it shall be put to death. So there's the Sabbath commandment. But look at verse 3. Exodus 35 verse 3. You shall kindle no fire throughout your dwellings on the Sabbath day. Now, this doesn't mean we're supposed to freeze on the Sabbath in the middle of winter. What it means, and what we're seeing here is actually an environmental principle as well. From the context, we're talking about not working on the Sabbath. From the context, the kindling of fire has to do with one's occupation, our work. That is industrial production, industrial fires. Burning is one of the major sources of air pollution today.

In Tokyo, Japan, in 1970, you can look this up, automobiles, cars, were not allowed in certain parts of the city one day a week as an experiment. And carbon monoxide was significantly reduced, more than just one seventh. Observance of just this one command here, not to kindle a fire on the Sabbath day, not to let industrial fires keep going on that day, would likely bring even more benefits than what we can imagine, both physical and spiritual. The example of this experiment in Tokyo demonstrated that even a partial observance of resting from work for a small part of a city just one day a week brought tangible results, measurable results.

And quite simply, everyone should be observing the Sabbath, and the earth would benefit by some of these commands. Here's another environmental principle from God's word, conserving our forests. You know, what about forested land? How do we manage our tree resources?

Can we cut down trees or not? Do they have inherent rights?

As some radical environmentalists might tell you, may man clear land to live on, or should he learn to live with the land the way he finds it? Joshua 17. Let's go back there for a moment. Joshua 17.

Verses 14 and 15. Joshua 17, verses 14 and 15.

Then the children of Joseph spoke to Joshua, saying, Why have you given us only one lot and one share to inherit, since we are a great people, insomuch as the Lord has blessed us until now? Verse 15. So Joshua answered then, If you are a great people, then go up to the forest country and clear a place for yourself.

There in the land of the parasites and the giants, since the mountains of Ephraim are too confined for you. See, there is no command in the Bible from God not to responsibly clear land for habitation. In Joshua 17, Joshua commands the crowded children of Israel to clear land to be able to spread out. Now, this is not a command to destroy nature for destruction's sake.

In fact, it has been shown that not properly thinning some forested areas or not allowing some small bushfires to burn only allows for more disastrous fires years later.

Of course, there is a flip side to this clearing of land. There is a caution and a balance to observe. We can't clear land indiscriminately. And I don't have time to go through it now, but Deuteronomy 20 gives principles on which trees you're not even allowed to cut down.

There are certain principles on what you cut down and what you don't cut down.

It's all part of managing the environment that God has given us.

How about the value of animals? We've looked a lot so far at trees and the environment, but what about us and animals? God dedicated two days of creation for creating the animal life and the life in the sea. Two days. It was very important to Him.

And God even preserved animal life through the great flood of Noah's time. Animals are very important. We've been given dominion over the fish and the oxen and the beasts of the field, the birds of the air. Mankind was put in a position of responsibility, management and stewardship, and it includes over the animal kingdom.

That leads us to the question, are animals and humans of equal value?

Are humans of greater worth than animals? How do we look at the animal kingdom as we subdue it, rule over it, and use it, and look after it? Let's turn to Matthew 12, verse 10.

Matthew 12 and verse 10.

Are humans of greater worth than animals? Behold, there was a man who had a withered hand, and they asked him, saying, is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath? That they might accuse him.

Then he said to them, what man is there among you who has one sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not lay hold of it and lift it out? Verse 12, of how much more value then is a man than a sheep? Therefore, it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath. You'd do it for an animal, so why not do it for a human? But a man is more valuable than a sheep.

That's not something you'll necessarily hear espoused by some people today.

Luke chapter 12, verse 6. Luke 12, verse 6. Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins, and not one of them is forgotten before God? See, God knows where every sparrow is, where every sparrow falls. He knows how his animal kingdom is doing. Verse 7. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear, therefore. You are of more value than many sparrows.

The animal kingdom is important. God created it. He preserved it. But mankind is put here for a special purpose and is of more value than the animal kingdom. God has created man to rule over the earth and all the creatures upon it. It's a management responsibility. And here in Matthew 12 and Luke 12, God states that man is worth more than sheep or sparrows. But we should treat the animal kingdom with respect because they are created by God. God says that even the animals should rest on the Sabbath. Don't put them to work on the Sabbath. We look after the animal kingdom. We care for it. And we're told to help an animal if it's injured. You care for it. You look after it. But an important clarification is that we should not put anything above God, including animals. The worship of animals or nature described in Romans chapter 1.

They're going to turn there right now. It's a violation of the second commandment.

Venerating nature, deifying rivers, worshiping creatures is a violation of the second commandment. We have to have a balanced environmental care as Christians of God. God places conditions even on how not to destroy a species, how to look after the animal kingdom. Hunting animals to extinction is against God's law. Animals need to be left with the ability to sustain their species. There's an example of that in Deuteronomy chapter 22, if you wanted to read, about not causing a species to become extinct. You see, the Bible and true Christianity is in harmony with the principles of God. We need to stay ahead of the environmental curve. The challenge for man as stewards of God's earthly creation is to develop and use the earth's resources for mankind's benefit while maintaining a livable planet for life. This requires knowledge of God's law and a humble prayerful seeking of God's mind and spirit. We should seek the advice of our creator who placed us in a position to subdue and care for his creation. God is not indifferent to how human activity affects his creation. And today we do see the mistreatment of God's creation and mankind ignoring much of our creator's laws and eternal principles. We do not worship the environment, but care and concern for God's creation should be part of a larger effort to follow our elder brother Jesus Christ. So what have we learned? We look at the original instruction to Adam and Eve to tend and keep in care. Mankind has dominion over the earthly creation and manages it for God because it does belong to God. Sin can affect our environment.

We are to care for and manage the earth. We must not diminish the earth's sustainability.

We don't release waste that will harm people where they dwell. We treat animals with care. We don't hunt them to extinction. We observe God's Sabbath in relation to farming the land and industrial production. We even rest our animals, our work animals, on the same earth.

God's people understand the need to stay ahead of the environmental curve.

These are wonderful principles that the entire earth would benefit from if observed.

And in the millennium, in God's kingdom, they will be observed. And as always, even for the sake of our planet and nature and the animal kingdom, we continue to pray for God's kingdom to come.