God has given care of the earth to us but He retains full ownership.
We are required to exercise responsible stewardship over the resources of the earth around us.
We are our brother’s keeper.
We are invited to participate in the work of creation.
Our job as stewards of the earth is not simply to conserve it preserve it, we are expected to use and increase our talents in the earth to improve things.
The work of creation is not an end in itself. It is an integral part of God’s plan for His children. Its purpose is to provide the setting in which men and women may be tested, exercise their agency, find joy, and learn and progress so that they may one day return to the presence of their Creator and inherit eternal life.
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However, the divine gift of the Creation does not come without duties and responsibilities. These duties are best described by the concept of stewardship. In gospel terms, the word stewardship designates a sacred spiritual or temporal responsibility to take care of something that belongs to God for which we are accountable.
As taught in the holy scriptures, our earthly stewardship includes the following principles:
First principle: The entire earth, including all life thereon, belongs to God.
Second principle: As stewards of God’s creations, we have a duty to honor and care for them.
Third principle: We are invited to participate in the work of creation.
If we recognize that God owns the earth and that was have both the freedom and the responsibility to care for that which does not ultimately belong to us that can encourage us to use things responsibly.
Beyond being simply a scientific or political necessity, the care of the earth and of our natural environment is a sacred responsibility entrusted to us by God, which should fill us with a deep sense of duty and humility. It is also an integral component of our discipleship. How can we honor and love Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ without honoring and loving Their creations?
We participate in the work of creation whenever we cultivate the earth or add our own constructions to this world—as long as we show respect for God’s creations. Our contributions may be expressed through the creation of works of art, architecture, music, literature, and culture, which embellish our planet, quicken our senses, and brighten our lives. We also contribute through scientific and medical discoveries that preserve the earth and life upon it.
Similarly, our role as stewards of earthly creations is not solely about conserving or preserving them. The Lord expects us to work diligently, as moved upon by His Holy Spirit, to grow, enhance, and improve upon the resources He has entrusted to us—not for our benefit only but to bless others.
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