Genesis 1:31

God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good.

Humanity’s reckless plundering of the world’s natural resources has shattered fragile ecosystems in many parts of the world. Our heedless consumption continues to damage God’s creation, and with the majority world striving towards the consumerism of the over-developed world, humanity is in danger of inflicting catastrophic harm.

Billy Graham writes:

“Why should we be concerned about the environment? It isn’t just because of the dangers we face from pollution, climate change, or other environmental problems—although these are serious. For Christians, the issue is much deeper: We know that God created the world, and it belongs to Him, not us. Because of this, we are only stewards or trustees of God’s creation, and we aren’t to abuse or neglect it. The Bible says, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it” (Psalm 24:1).

When we fail to see the world as God’s creation, we will end up abusing it. Selfishness and greed take over, and we end up not caring about the environment or the problems we’re creating for future generations.”

Loving God means caring for his creation

The Christian vision of creation care is rooted in Scripture. Jesus taught that the most important commandments are to love God with our whole heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbours as ourselves (Mark 12:29-31).

Our love for God must be reflected in fulfilling the role he gave to humanity. God appointed us to bear his image (Gen 1:27) and entrusted this world to our care (Gen. 2:15). So caring for God’s creation is one of the most fundamental things we are called to do.

Loving others means caring for creation

To some, “care of creation” can sound like we value the planet more than people. But caring for the planet really is caring for people. The effects of environmental degradation on human health are devastating. Malnutrition from food shortages, higher rates of tropical disease, cardiorespiratory distress from pollution, and conflicts over natural resources are just some of the ways environmental problems impact the lives of real people.

Find out more about the Theology of Creation Care here

What can we do?

We cannot change the world on our own, but every single person can make a tiny change, and all the tiny changes together make a world of difference.

Let’s make a start…

We can all help St Thomas Church to achieve an Eco Church Award. This initiative is run by A Rocha UK, a Christian Charity working for the protection and restoration of the natural world and committed to equipping Christians and churches in the UK to care for the environment. The Eco Church award is a way of measuring the changes we can make as God’s people together. If you would like to know more, or be involved with making St Thomas Church greener, please fill in the form below.

We can all support charities like Tearfund and Christian Aid…

Tearfund are working hard to help those worst affected by climate change…

We can all do things at home…

Let us pray

God of love, show us our place in this world
as channels of your love
for all the creatures of this earth
for not one of them is forgotten in your sight.
Enlighten those who possess power and money
that they may avoid the sin of indifference,
that they may love the common good, advance the weak,
and care for this world in which we live.
The poor and the earth are crying out.
O Lord, seize us with your power and light,
help us to protect all life,
to prepare for a better future,
for the coming of your Kingdom
of justice, peace, love and beauty.
Praise be to you!

Amen

This page was prepared by Revd Dominic.