According to many people, we must save the earth. When we look at the earth and all of the beauty it contains, it is easy to see why we would want to preserve it. But, is the earth ours to save?
As humans, we have been given the responsibility to care for the earth and its inhabitants. That means we should care for the earth and do our best not to waste its valuable resources and preserve the beautiful places.
"Then God said, "Let us make man in our likeness. Let them rule over the fish in the waters and the birds of the air. Let them rule over the livestock and over the whole Earth. Let them rule over all of the creatures that move along the ground." "Genesis 1:26 NIRV
While we are called to care for the earth, we must also remember who the earth actually belongs to and who is the one actually in control of what happens to it. It does not belong to our ancestors, to us or future generations- it belongs to God!
"The earth belongs to the Lord. And so does everything in it. The world belongs to him. And so do all those who live in it."
Psalm 24:1 NIRV
Just like humankind, the earth is dying. It is suffering the consequences of that first sin, and the Bible says it is groaning and waiting for the day it will be made new!
"The created world was bound to fail. But that was not the result of its own choice. It was planned that way by the One who made it. God planned to set the created world free. He didn't want it to rot away completely. Instead, he wanted it to have the same glorious freedom that his children have. We know that all that God created has been groaning. It is in pain as if it were giving birth to a child. The created world continues to groan even now." Romans 8:20-22 NIRV
"All things were made through him. Nothing that has been made was made without him." John 1:3 NIRV
We need to remember that the Lord knows all and is in control of the outcome of the earth, He is after all the maker of all things. He sets the seasons in motion and knows the number of the stars. Without Him, there would be no earth or us. We can trust God that the earth will fulfill its purposes until the appointed time that only He knows. So, yes let's do our part and take care of the earth, but let's not forget who it belongs to-God!