There are many “end of days” scenarios. The most common used to be a nuclear holocaust, leaving only cockroaches. That one isn’t completely gone. Probably, now it is easier to imagine a virus that eliminates all human life, still leaving only cockroaches. Global warming, a massive asteroid strike, zombie apocalypse, you name it.
I’m not making light of the fears. The fears are real. In fact, the Bible guarantees an end of life as we know it. 2 Peter 3:10 asserts:
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.
This won’t be of human making. This will be from God. When? We don’t know. God will take His time, hoping that more people will reject their love of sin and desire to have God’s forgiveness. God is patient, but not eternally patient.
If this world is destined to be destroyed by fire should we bother to take care of it? The answer is a resounding “Yes!”
There are many flaws that God has placed into the world as a part of the curse. Add to it the damage we do the world because of our sin. The planet is stressed, but we can make things better.
It is important to note that the Earth was not made for us. It was made for Christ. Still, people have a very valuable stewardship role to play until the “day of the Lord”.
Stewardship is a God-given management role that God bestows on us. We are stewards of many things and our stewardship will be one aspect of our lives that will be examined on Judgment Day. On Judgment Day our eternal salvation still depends on our connection to Jesus, but our reward for faithful discipleship will examine our works. That is what is meant by “the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.” Judgment Day for the Righteous
Caring for the planet is a Christian’s responsibility. It is everyone’s responsibility. Doing a good job of this shows gratitude and recognition of our Creator. It becomes a form of worship that praises God for the beauty and ingenuity that He has invested in this special place.
The Earth may be a small planet in a vast universe, but there is nothing common about it. Life doesn’t exist here merely because there is water. It is the perfect size, with the perfect star, within a necessary distance from that star. It has a moon that creates perfect tides, a perfect atmosphere with exactly the right amount of oxygen that both protects us from destructive radiation while allowing the right amount of visible light for photosynthesis. It is also a clear enough atmosphere in a solar system between the spiral arms of our galaxy, so that we can look out and see the beauty, power and creativity of God displayed throughout the universe. It is special.
We dare not abuse it for profit or convenience. While able to absorb and adjust to some of our folly, it is not beyond our ability to seriously throw the planet out of balance. Respect that. Live, but live wisely. Use as little as possible. Throw away even less. If you can make up for the carelessness of others, do so. It is for our mutual good, but it is also for the glory of the Creator.
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