Why should we as Christians be concerned about going green?

God created the world and everything in it (Genesis 1; Psalms 104)

God appointed us as stewards over everything he created (Genesis 1:28)

“God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground."

Creation is God's (Deuteronomy 10:14; Psalms 24:1)

"To the LORD your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it.”

“The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it;”

Creation is a witness to the very existence of God (Romans 1:20; Psalms 19:1-4)

“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 men are without excuse.”

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.

There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard.
Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.
In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun,”

Jesus died for the world, not just people (John 3:16; Colossians 1:20)

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

“and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.”

And if God's involvement and ownership of creation isn't enough...

God calls us to help and care for people, which is shown throughout the Bible: “love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31), the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) and the story of the sheep and goats (Matthew 25:31-46). Good environmental stewardship shows are love and care for all people. It helps to save lives, save people from disease and increase quality of living both in our own country and around the world.

A Harvard study showed that 1 power plant caused 1200 ER visits, 3,000 cases of asthma and 110 deaths. Just 1 power plant! If everyone in America changed 5 light bulbs from incandescent bulbs to compact florescent bulbs, 21 coal power plants could be shut down immediately. If everyone just changed one we would be saving the energy equivalent to taking 800,000 cars off the road.

By buying organic food and products you can help to take better care of the environmental and people. Plantation growing of coffee and other food items that use non-sustaining practices can quickly deplete the land of its nutrients and leave the inhabitants without the ability to grow food for themselves. The use of pesticides and other chemicals in agriculture causes damage to drinking water supplies creating unsafe drinking water for miles. The clearing of land for these monoculture farms as well as other reasons also makes the soil unstable and more mudslide occur leaving land unable to produce crops and unlivable for people.

But don't be discouraged. Every person can help. Even the little things can help. We are called to act in James.

“If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”

So what can we do to take action?

Prayer:

Lord, the beauty of your creation is breathtaking. Please help me to respect your creation which includes plants, animals and people. Help me to think about the things I do everyday and how I can be a better steward of what you gave us. Thank you for your love and the world you create for us to live in. Amen.

Further Reading: “Serve God, Save the Planet” by Matthew Sleeth, “Saving God's Green Earth” by Tri Robinson, www.servegodsavetheplanet.org, www.savinggodsgreenearth.com, www.tendingthegarden.org,