When it comes to environmental issues, some Christians tend to throw up their hands in helplessness. After all, the Bible tells us that “moth and rust destroy” and that everything on earth is slowly dying, degrading, and decaying. This is consistent with the second law of thermodynamics — the universe is constantly moving towards an inevitable state of entropy. So we know, of course, that our planet is not eternal.

Does that mean we can just do whatever we like with the resources God gave us? I don’t think so.

In Genesis 1:28, God commands humans to “be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it.” He also establishes us as rulers over all the animals. And since we have been given that place of authority, it’s important not to exploit our position, but rather to use our power wisely. We have to remember that “the earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it” (Psalm 24:1). We are merely caretakers who answer to a greater authority. Moreover, we know that we can take none of our possessions or assets with us when we die, so it would be wrong for us to relentlessly pursue wealth and use up the earth’s resources.

In a practical sense, being stewards of God’s creation doesn’t mean we have to become extremely ascetic and begin a zero-waste lifestyle. But it does mean we should exercise discernment in our daily habits. For example, some people have a recycling bin in their homes, while others throw everything in the trash — cans, bottles, papers, cardboard, etc. Our society has a system in place that makes it easier to reduce waste and strain on the environment, so there’s absolutely no reason why Christians shouldn’t implement this habit in our homes.

Furthermore, we should simply be mindful of what we buy and consume. We shouldn’t purchase excess food that will end up going to waste (but if we do, composting helps). Cheap, poor quality clothing that will quickly wear out isn’t the best choice either. Discounted clothes can easily be found at thrift stores, and many thrift stores are actually charitable organizations! These are just some easy ways to avoid waste.

Above all, it’s important to keep in mind the purpose for protecting the creation. The beauty of a sunrise at the Grand Canyon, the verdant temperate rainforests of coastal British Columbia, the vast expanse of a sparking white glacier in the Arctic, the shifting sands of the Sahara Desert — all of them exist solely to bring glory to the Creator. The psalmists of days long ago waxed poetic about the mighty seas and the ocean peaks. They marvelled at the myriad of stars in the night sky.

Paul writes in Romans 1:20, “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.” In this verse, we hear echoes of David in Psalm 19:1 — “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”

God reveals himself in nature, making it all the more important for Christians to play a key role in protecting the beauty of creation. Living sustainably can help us grow closer to God and preserve nature for generations to come.