BLUF: Stewardship reflects design and the Designer; how we treat creation is directly tied to our theology (doctrine of God).

Illustration: This morning after PT I was driving to work, and the crews were out by the highway I take. Their blaze orange vests, eye protection, gloves, boots, and sweat rags bespoke their mission—to steward the grounds adjacent to the highway. I could hear the weed-eaters buzz as they cut through the Bahia and other grasses and weeds. With the GA humidity, the smell of cut grass was pungent and pervasive. It was already hot and sticky, so muggy in fact that my reading glasses fogged. Yet here were these men, picking up litter, weed eating, and helping take care of the area.

Connection to Scripture: When God created man, God gave him a creation mandate that involved wise stewardship of creation. We were not to worship the earth; we were not to destroy the earth; we were to wisely steward the earth (Genesis 1:28; 2:15).

And later in the Pentateuch, we are taught the importance of wise stewardship: You shall not pollute the land in which you live, for blood pollutes the land, and no atonement can be made for the land for the blood that is shed in it, except by the blood of the one who shed it. You shall not defile the land in which you live, in the midst of which I dwell, for I the Lord dwell in the midst of the people of Israel (Numbers 35:33-34 ESV).

I have been blessed to travel a great many parts of the earth. Some countries and regions are staggeringly clean and beautiful. Switzerland and much of Germany come to mind, as examples. Almost no litter. I have also seen other countries and regions where litter is nearly everywhere. I will not mention the areas, but you might be able to discern them.

The principle, however, is clear: One’s theology directly informs one’s view of creation stewardship. If you think you’re just cosmic dust, then why take care of the planet? But if you’re created in the image of the holy, sovereign, and wise God who has provided you everything to steward well for your good and his glory, it directly affects the way you live.

Encouragement: The Lord knows best. Would we but hear and heed him, we would not need men to pick up litter along the highways because it would not be there in the first place. Our theology directly affects our choices regarding stewardship of creation.