Is "Green" a New Thing?
Being “green” is a popular focus now but really it started with Adam when God gave him the task of caring for the garden (Genesis 2:15). God had in mind from the very beginning that we’re to look after what He created for us. As Christians, we call this “stewardship.”
Luke 12:13-21 and Matthew 25:34-46 provide Jesus’ guidance about maintaining what we have, and preserving it for future generations. Clearly, individual security does not come from hoarding, nor are we to waste what He has put under our control. God wants us to understand our need to rely on His provision and seek ways to care for and share His bounty.
So What Can We Do?
How can we be faithful to God’s assignment to care for His earth? There are some ways we all know: Conserve water use, recycle, reuse, upgrade to energy efficient appliances and lighting, preserve forests. (Did you know that 27 million trees are harvested each year for our paper towel habit?) Use reusable shopping bags. Car pool or use public transportation.
Before you discard something, think about whether it could be given a new use and thus kept out of the landfill. Search out products made from recycled materials and support those companies who are leading the way in greening our nation.
Even at Church?
Whenever you are at church you can continue living green by making sure lights are out when rooms are empty (every dollar we save on energy costs means another dollar available for saving souls). Put paper in recycle boxes in the offices or in the parking lot bins at Mill Run and Lytham Road, car pool to church, bring your own coffee mug, or help out with the community garden.
You probably have several other great ideas on how our congregation can be better stewards of what God has entrusted to us. Please share your ideas and encourage others to join you as you make changes that will show your appreciation of God’s earth and your willingness to be a good steward of the resources God has provided.
