BGEA: Does the Bible say anything about taking care of the environment? I have some passionate friends who claim the Bible is anti-environmental. Are they right?

Does the Bible say anything about taking care of the environment? I have some friends who are very passionate about this issue, but they don't really believe in God or Jesus the way I do, and they even claim the Bible is anti-environmental. Are they right? — J.H.D.

I'm grateful for your friends' concern for the environment—but no, they aren't right when they say the Bible isn't concerned about the environment. In fact, of all people, Christians should be the most concerned for the environment.

Why is this? The reason is because Christians know God created the world, and we are only its stewards or trustees. The very first verse of the Bible says, "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth" (Genesis 1:1). When we see the world as a gift from God, we will do our best to take care of it and use it wisely, instead of poisoning or destroying it.

We don't worship the earth; instead, we realize that God gave it to us, and we are accountable to Him for how we use it. After creating Adam, the first man, the Bible says, "The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it" (Genesis 2:15). God didn't tell him to exploit the world or treat it recklessly, but to watch over it and use it wisely. Like a good ruler, we should seek the welfare of everything God entrusts to us—including the creation. The Bible says, "A righteous man cares for the needs of his animal" (Proverbs 12:10).

Yes, we should take care of the environment. But most of all, we should take care of our souls. Is Christ the center of your life, and are you seeking to live for Him every day?

8 Comments

sijidavid says 5.1.2013, 01:03 a.m.

caring the environment is good...but it is better to care about the souls of the entire earth

Judi says 8.24.2012, 7:55 p.m.

I think to tame and cultivate what He gave us. It is an awesome responsibility. He gave man intelligence and choice. Everything else is genetic or instinctive (plant and animal life that is)

Ron says 4.14.2012, 09:02 a.m.

The Bible most certainly teaches on protecting the environment. The greatest call to Christians to be stewards of the environment is Matt 5:13 "but if the salt loses is flavor how shall it be seasoned." Christians are the salt and how shall what be seasoned (The Earth). If it is not seasoned(preserved by Christians) it is then trampled under foot by men.(this can only be discerned in the KJV)And Rev. 11:18 "and for destroying those who destroy the earth." God destroys those who destroy the earth.

Elena says 1.19.2012, 12:02 a.m.

Thank you so much, I was looking of how to answer that question for my students. God bless you!

Nadja Smale says 6.16.2011, 3:30 p.m.

I like you website, great good man, you are awesome

mellisa says 6.16.2011, 2:48 p.m.

I like your website, great job man, you're awesome.

Donna says 10.7.2010, 09:06 a.m.

I truly beleive all of God's word. Written for our learning and to know Him. The word also teaches us how to live. In saying this, I would like to say what I beleive God tells us. He created a perfect world from the very beginning. Man has spent thousands of years ruining the balance of nature. Man has also spent thousands of years ruining the enviroment. The bible does speak of man dying in a polluted land, of which he brought on to himself.

ken says 7.5.2010, 6:56 p.m.

What does God mean by subdue and have dominion over, in verse 28 of Genesis?