From the very beginning, Scripture reveals a divine mandate for humanity: to serve as stewards of God’s creation. This responsibility, first outlined in Genesis, is not a license for exploitation but a call to care, preserve, and wisely manage the earth’s resources. Throughout the Bible, God emphasizes humanity’s unique role in His created order, providing principles and examples that guide our stewardship. This essay explores the biblical foundation for stewardship, contrasting it with exploitation, and highlights how this responsibility reflects God’s character and purposes.
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Humanity’s Mandate: A Call to Stewardship
The Creation Account: A Foundation for Stewardship
In Genesis 1:26-28, God declares,
“Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground. God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.’”
This passage establishes humanity’s dominion over creation, but the Hebrew words used—radah (rule) and kabash (subdue)—must be understood in their broader biblical context. Rather than permitting exploitation, these terms point to responsible and caring governance. Humanity, created in the Imago Dei (Image of God), is tasked with reflecting God’s character as a wise and benevolent ruler.
Genesis 2:15 reinforces this role:
“The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.”
Here, the Hebrew words abad (work) and shamar (take care of) imply cultivation and preservation, painting a picture of stewardship rather than domination.
God’s Ownership of the Earth
Psalm 24:1 declares,
“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.”
Humanity does not own the earth; we are its caretakers, entrusted by God to manage His creation responsibly. Leviticus 25:23 underscores this truth:
“The land must not be sold permanently, because the land is mine and you reside in my land as foreigners and strangers.”
This principle calls for humility and accountability, reminding us that stewardship is a sacred trust.
Biblical Examples of Stewardship
The Sabbath for the Land
In Leviticus 25:1-7, God commands Israel to observe a Sabbath year for the land, allowing it to rest and recover. This practice reflects both God’s care for creation and His provision for His people. By following this command, Israel demonstrated trust in God’s sovereignty and acknowledged His ownership of the land.
Care for Animals
Proverbs 12:10 states,
“The righteous care for the needs of their animals, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.”
This verse highlights the moral responsibility to treat animals with respect and compassion, aligning with the broader principle of stewardship.
Noahic Covenant: A Relationship with All Creation
In Genesis 9:8-17, God establishes a covenant with Noah, his descendants, and every living creature. This covenant underscores God’s concern for all creation, not just humanity, and reinforces our role in preserving and protecting it.
New Testament Insights on Stewardship
Jesus’ Teachings on Faithful Management
The New Testament reinforces the principles of stewardship through Jesus’ parables. In Matthew 25:14-30, the Parable of the Talents illustrates the importance of managing God’s resources wisely. Although this parable primarily addresses spiritual gifts, its principles extend to all aspects of stewardship, including environmental care.
Luke 16:10-12 further emphasizes this point:
“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.”
Faithfulness in small matters, including how we treat creation, reflects our obedience to God.
Creation’s Witness to God’s Glory
Romans 1:20 declares,
“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.”
Creation reveals God’s glory, and our care for the earth helps preserve this testimony. Neglecting or exploiting the environment diminishes the display of God’s majesty.
Christ’s Lordship Over Creation
Colossians 1:16-17 proclaims,
“For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”
Creation exists for Christ, and humanity’s stewardship honors His Lordship.
Theological Implications of Stewardship
Reflecting God’s Character
As bearers of the Imago Dei, humanity reflects God’s character through stewardship. Just as God sustains and cares for His creation, we are called to nurture and protect it. Failing to do so distorts this reflection and undermines our witness.
Creation’s Groaning and Redemption
Romans 8:19-23 describes creation’s suffering under sin and its longing for restoration:
“The creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.”
This passage connects humanity’s fall to environmental degradation, emphasizing our responsibility to care for creation as part of God’s redemptive plan.
Practical Applications of Stewardship
Responsible Use of Resources
Deuteronomy 20:19-20 cautions against unnecessary destruction:
“When you lay siege to a city for a long time, fighting against it to capture it, do not destroy its trees by putting an ax to them, because you can eat their fruit. Do not cut them down. Are the trees people, that you should besiege them?”
This principle calls for sustainable use of resources, balancing human needs with preservation.
Stewardship as Worship
Caring for creation can be an act of worship, reflecting gratitude and obedience to God. Psalm 8:6-8 reminds us of our role in managing creation, while Colossians 3:17 urges,
“Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
A Gospel-Centered Stewardship
Ultimately, stewardship is a gospel issue. By caring for the earth, we demonstrate God’s love and proclaim His Lordship. This responsibility includes advocating for justice, helping the poor, and protecting the vulnerable, reflecting God’s heart for His creation.
Misunderstandings and Biblical Clarifications
Dominion vs. Exploitation
Some interpret Genesis 1:28 as permission to exploit the earth, but Scripture consistently emphasizes care and responsibility. Leviticus 25, Proverbs 12:10, and other passages counter this misunderstanding, highlighting stewardship’s moral and ethical dimensions.
Avoiding Environmental Idolatry
While stewardship is vital, it must not become idolatry. Romans 1:25 warns against worshiping creation instead of the Creator. Proper stewardship keeps God at the center, honoring Him through care for His world.
Conclusion
Scripture provides a compelling and cohesive vision of humanity’s role as stewards of the earth. From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible affirms that the earth belongs to God and that humanity is entrusted with its care. This responsibility reflects God’s character, preserves creation’s testimony to His glory, and aligns with His redemptive purposes. As stewards, we are called to balance use and preservation, honoring God through faithful and sustainable management of His creation.
“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” (Psalm 24:1)
All Scripture quoted from:
New International Version (NIV)
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