This month, our Stewardship emphasis is that we are Stewards of God’s Creation.   From the beginning of the Book of Genesis, we learn that when God created humanity, He created us to have dominion over other animals (Genesis 1:26 & 28), which did not mean that humans were given unlimited power to exploit nature but, instead, humans were intended to serve as God’s representatives in the created order.  

When God finished creating the heavens and the earth, God looked at everything that He had made and He declared it to be very good (Genesis 1:31a) and then, “The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to till it and keep it.”  (Genesis 2:15 NRSV)   This means that, as humans, we are responsible to serve and protect God’s Creation.  That original calling still applies to humanity today.  All living things are completely dependent on the water, air, food, minerals, and other gifts that come to us from the earth.  These gifts must be cherished, and not treated with abuse or negligence.   We cannot love God or our neighbor without caring for Creation.   How can we do that?   First, recognize that each of us is a part of nature, and is not separate from it.  Martin Luther said that “God is wholly present in all creation, in every corner, behind you and before you.”  Listen carefully for the hymn of all creation.  Pay attention to our natural environment, and pray that the Holy Spirit will guide you in your prayers and daily decisions so that each of us will be agents in the restoration of right relationships of all things.  Make lifestyle changes which reflect our concern and care for God’s Creation.   Live simply.  Conserve energy resources.  Recycle.  Be mindful of your resource consumption and associated pollution. Strive for environmental redemption. Practice your responsibilities.  Be a steward.