Christian Responsibility for Environmental Stewardship
Environmental stewardship is a vital responsibility for every Christian as highlighted in the Bible readings of Genesis 1, Psalm 24, and Luke 16:1-13. The impact of environmental degradation is significant, with the WHO stating that about a quarter of global deaths are due to environmental factors. Pollution from sources like plastic bags and e-waste is causing harm to both humans and animals, leading to illnesses and deaths. Urgent action is needed to address issues like plastic waste in oceans, pollution-related animal deaths, and climate change. The content emphasizes the importance of taking care of the environment to protect the health of current and future generations.
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Presentation Transcript
Environmental Environmental stewardship stewardship is is every Christian s every Christian s responsibility responsibility
Bible readings Genesis 1 Psalm 24 Luke 16: 1-13
The Daily Nation of March 16th quoted WHO saying that about a quarter of deaths worldwide are due to environmental factors such as air, water and soil pollution. The WHO estimates that about 12.6 million people died in 2012 as a result of living and working in unhealthy environments. It warns that if actions are not taken millions will continue to die young due to illnesses brought about by environmental degradation
In another story in the August 15, 2015 Daily Nation, Kariokor Market, Baba Dogo, Donholm, Hazina Estate and parts of Gachie were cited by UNEP as the most polluted areas in Nairobi. This is mainly caused by high concentration of poisonous gases, mostly from vehicles exhaust, from industries and households. Examples of illnesses and deaths caused by pollution:
Plastic bags and bottles menace Plastic bags and bottles are choking our lakes and rivers and are blocking major drainage systems in our towns.
Plastic in the Oceans It is estimated that plastic waste in the oceans will outweigh fish in 30 years This plastic will pollute the oceans and destroy marine life
Animals deaths due to pollution Dead fish in California due to pollution. Similar cases have been experienced everywhere in the world.
E-waste E-waste is harmful to the environment and human health. Most of the e-waste in developing countries is not properly disposed exposing both human and animals
Climate Change and global Warming Climate and global warming are the other consequences of environmental degradation which may affect survival of the human race. It is estimated that, the earth s temperature has on average increased by 0.8 degrees Celsius over the past century. This is increasing at a faster rate than ever before. This growth will continue unless communities take action to reduce the wanton destruction of the environment
Global Warming Global warming is mainly caused by the accumulation of greenhouse gases (GHG) in the atmosphere such as carbon dioxide. Mainly released from factories and households Also caused by destruction of forests which stores gases such as Carbon Dioxide. Some of the consequences of global warming include:
Melting Glaciers Melting of glaciers will cause rise in sea levels, submerging large areas of human habitation. Kivalina island, Alaska has been disappearing slowly. Estimated that in 10 years it will be completely submerged
Droughts, Diseases & Hurricanes Droughts brought about by large scale evaporation will further worsen the global water crisis and malnutrition particularly in Africa Diseases will increase due to increased pollution, flooding and heat waves Hurricanes will become frequent and stronger causing deaths and destruction. This will increase in severity as long as the destruction of the environment is not addressed.
Christians Responsibility The environment is God s own creation: In Genesis 1.28, God told Adam and Eve, "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." God expects us to be good stewards of the environment. God expects us to be good stewards of the resources that he has given us, including caring for the environment.
Christians Responsibility In some versions of the Bible the word used is Dominion: For Example in the New King James Version: Gen 1:28 Then God blessed them, and God said to them, Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth. This word dominion has been misunderstood and used negatively to mean God gave us the earth and everything in it to use however we like.
Christians Responsibility Holcomb writes about Dominion Dominion does not mean destruction, but responsibility. It is important to avoid flawed convictions about the right and power of humankind in relation to the rest of the natural world. Francis Schaffer also writes about dominion and says: Fallen man has dominion over nature, but he uses it wrongly. The Christian is called upon to exercise dominion but do it rightly: treating the thing as having value itself, exercising dominion without being destructive.
Christians Responsibility God s own image Gen 1:26 Then God said, Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth. God s created us His likeness so that we can be like him. He also created him so that he can have dominion over the creation. If God saw the creation to be good after creating it, then a man with His image can only take good care of the creation and not destroying it.
Christians Responsibility He holds all things together. "He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together" (Colossians 1.16 17). God is the creator and sustainer of all created things. Without Him things cannot hold together and there would be chaos. He holds them in perfect balance. When we neglect and destroy the environment we are damaging something perfectly created by God.
Christians Responsibility The parable of the dishonest manager: Luke 16: 1-13 10 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.11So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?12And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else s property, who will give you property of your own? The environment is part of worldly wealth God has given us, and He expects that we manage it properly
Christians Responsibility Concern for other people. 1 John 3:16-18 16This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.17If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?18Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.
Christians Responsibility The environment is destroyed by human greed for material possession. As Christians, we should be mindful of others and one way of showing concern for others is by protecting the environment. A good Christian should not destroy the environment because by doing so he/she would be causing harm not only to themselves but also someone else.
Christians Responsibility It can be a means of livelihood: Many have converted plastic waste into a source of livelihood. Instead of allowing waste to pollute our environment we can recycle, or convert it into reusable materials.
St. Pauls Environmental Corner At the Environmental corner waste is managed This helps people manage waste It can be a source of income and employment What impact can we have if we all brought our waste to the corner?
Simple ways of reducing pollution Recycle paper, plastic, metals and organic materials. Use containers that can be reused For example carry water in a reusable container instead of buying bottled water Use durable and sustainable bags and carry them with you. Turn off home appliances and office equipment, e.g. TVs, computers, printers and fax machine, when not in use. Turn off the lights when you leave a room.
Simple ways of reducing pollution Print and photocopy on both sides of paper. To reduce on water usage in the toilet, put plastic bottles or float booster in your toilet tank. Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth and while washing your hands. Water comes out of the average faucet at 2.5 gallons per minute. Take public transportation, Organize and condense errands into one trip.
Simple ways of reducing pollution Replace energy-hungry incandescent lights with compact florescent light bulbs. Choose products that use recycled materials. Plant a tree! Trees filter the air and provide shade that can reduce cooling costs.
Conclusion Galatians 6: 9-10 9Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.10Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
