From your Pastor:

Stewards of God’s Creation

(A Principle of Christian Stewardship)

Part 1

Recently, I related the story stated below to Sister Claire Bruce, who asked me for a copy of the materials I gave the professor.  I was unable to find my copy of the outline but did find some notes. This essay is written from those notes plus additional notes added more recently.  I hope it is of some benefit to you Sister Claire!  Bro. Mike

My own study and consideration of the topic of stewardship of God’s creation began several years ago in response to a college professor who criticized Christianity with respect to environmental issues.  I signed up for his environmental philosophy class to fulfill a requirement of my degree program.  After the first few lectures, I noticed the professor consistently criticized Christian teachings and practices regarding care for the environment while generally praising other religions such as Buddhism and Hinduism.  After this went on for a while I asked if we could meet privately.  At the meeting, I told him I had observed his pattern of negative comments and asked the professor why he was so critical of Christians with regard to the environment.  He said it was because of their record.  He stated Christian nations produce the greater portion of pollution and are the largest exploiters of natural resources.  I responded that even if I accepted his observation as correct it does not necessarily mean the teachings of Christianity promote environmental abuse, that the two facts do not necessarily have a cause and effect relationship.  I pointed out biblical principles of Christian stewardship, in fact, prohibit wasteful and indiscriminate consumption of natural resources.  I offered to put together an outline with scriptural references to support my position, which I later gave to him. 

There are several factors to consider when exploring biblical teachings of stewardship and more specifically, stewardship of God’s creation.   They include: ownership and value, the authority, responsibility and accountability of stewards, plus consequences of good and bad stewardship.

God Retains Ownership of Creation

                Who owns creation?  This is a simple question, both to understand and to answer.  Yet, the issue of ownership is one that man struggles with continually.  Through the ages, men have disputed with one another and God over who holds title to the earth. Abraham and Lot’s servants fought over grazing and water rights. The birthright dispute between Jacob and Esau was really about who would control the land and resources passed down from Abraham and Isaac.  Israel’s repeated battles with her neighbors were usually over who would occupy the land and have use of its resources.  Throughout history, most wars have been over land.  Examination of the motives behind the wars and conquests of Alexander the Great, the Roman Empire, Ghangis Khan, William the Conqueror, and Adolf Hitler disclose a common thread:  Man’s desire to control land and resources is frequently a basic cause of conflict.

                Despite man’s history of conflicts in order to own and control land and natural resources, scripture teaches God created all things and everything still belongs to Him!  In Leviticus 25:23 God it made clear He retains ownership of Creation and mankind are guest boarders on earth.  “The land shall not be sold for ever: for the land is mine; for ye are strangers and sojourners with me.”  (See Strong’s Hebrew #1616 & #8453 for definitions of strangers and sojourners)  He made a similar point in Psalms 50:10-12 where, thru the Psalmist, God declares:  “For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills.  I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine.  If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof.”  The Apostle Paul reaffirmed the principle of God’s creating and owning Creation in Colossians 1:16-17.  “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.”  Inferred from Paul’s statement “all things were created by him, and for him” is that God retains ownership of all things he created for his own purpose and use.

                It is not just land that God owns and uses.  Psalms 50 also indicates He retains ownership of natural resources.  The text implies He owns all food sources, whether from beasts, forest, cattle, etc..  Moreover, Haggai 2:8 indicates minerals, even after they are refined, still belong to God. “The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the LORD of hosts.” 

God Values Creation

The context of Haggai 2:8, is God instructing Israel how to rebuild the Temple.  It suggests God has definite ideas about how we use His natural resources.  This is because He values the things He created.  The Genesis account contains expressions and accounts that allude to God valuing creation.  Seven places in Genesis chapter one describe God as seeing Creation as good.  The seventh citation is a recap in which God sees all he had already created and affirms it as “very good”.  “And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.” Genesis 1:31  In context, a reasonable case can be made that the word good has moral implications with respect to Creation obeying God’s commands to exist exactly as He purposed and was thereby morally acceptable to God.  In addition, good could indicate God valuing Creation with aesthetic appreciation, in the sense of beauty as an artist might admire his handiwork.  Good may also allude to God valuing the usefulness of Creation.  (The Book of Job God uses the strength and fierceness of leviathan and behemoth to imply the greatness of His power and glory in relation to things he created.  See Job chapters 40.41) 

God providing for increase of his creation also suggests He values what He made. Just as an inventor would not want to reproduce a product that does not meet his requirements for usefulness and attractiveness, it is unlikely God would command His creation to “be fruitful and multiply” (Genesis 1:22, 2) if it was if no value to Him.

Another evidence of God valuing Creation is that He assigned man to care for it.  From the beginning, God showed particular interest in how man minds His Creation. While man was still in the perfect environment of the Garden of Eden God commanded Adam to “dress and keep it”.  His command suggests Adam was to be a protector and preserver of the Garden.   Strong’s Hebrew Dictionary defines keep as: “08104. rmv shamar shaw-mar’; a primitive root; properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.:— beward, be circumspect, take heed (to self), keep(-er, self), mark, look narrowly, observe, preserve, regard, reserve, save (self), sure, (that lay) wait (for), watch(-man).   Assigning Adam responsibility for keeping the garden, presumably to protect it from exploitation, indicates God values His Creation.  Moreover, the instructions God gave man (beginning with His instructions to Adam) as to how to keep Creation suggest He values what He made.   An example of this is God commanding man to observe a Sabbath every seven years for the land to rest.  “But in the seventh year shall be a sabbath of rest unto the land, a sabbath for the LORD: thou shalt neither sow thy field, nor prune thy vineyard.”(Leviticus 25:4)

One may point to the curse placed upon the earth as a consequence of original sin (Genesis 3:17) as evidence God’s appreciation of creation ended with the transgression; therefore man’s dominion is now unfettered.  However, while it is true God cursed the ground, the text suggests His reason for doing so was against man because of his disobedience and not against the ground per se.  Far from rejecting His Creation is seems God gave it another use.  Making Creation less hospitable served God’s purpose as a constant reminder to man of his own sinfulness and the righteousness of God who punishes sin.  Moreover, scripture indicates even after God cursed the earth He continued to use Creation to express his glory.  “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.  Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.” (Psalms 19:1-3) (See also Psalms 8 & 97)  In Luke’s gospel Jesus indicated if need be God would use the rocks to praise the Savior. “And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen;  Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.  And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples.  And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.” (Luke 19:37-40)

Many other instances of God showing value for his creation are evident in how He uses it; such as the flood, parting the Red Sea and use of famine and pestilence in judgment.

Stewardship: Authority, Accountability and Responsibility

                As previously discussed, Adam was God’s first steward.  God assigned him to dress and keep the garden, to take care of it.  Furthermore, beginning with Adam, God gave mankind dominion over nature.  “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.” (Genesis 1:26)  It is interesting to note giving man dominion over nature and making him in God’s likeness are presented together in the Genesis account.  Their appearance together gives rise to the question; in as much as God made man in his own image should not man rule nature in God’s image, with behavior that mirrors the Lord’s value for His creation?

Authority:  The concept of stewardship presented by scripture applies to man’s dominion over nature (Genesis 1:26).   In Luke12: 42-43 the Savior stated:  “Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.”   This text indicates a steward is a ruler and a servant.  He oversees another’s possessions.  In the context of the lesson, the Savior teaches God’s disciples are stewards of earth. The phrase “portion of meat in due season” suggests stewardship applies to the things of nature.   Strong’s Concordance provides this definition for a steward: “a house-distributor (i.e. manager), or overseer, i.e. an employee in that capacity; by extension, a fiscal agent (treasurer); figuratively, a preacher (of the Gospel):— chamberlain, governor, steward.  This definition implies authority, responsibility and accountability.  A steward rules as an agent.  He oversees by an authority received from the owner of the possessions he manages.  He has authority over the possessions placed in his care, to see that they are properly used and kept.

                What did God intend when He gave mankind dominion over nature?   Strong’s Concordance indicates dominion means subjugation; that man has rule over nature:  07287. hdr radah raw-daw’; a primitive root; to tread down, i.e. subjugate; specifically, to crumble off:— (come to, make to) have dominion, prevail against, reign, (bear, make to) rule,(-r, over), take.  However, because man’s authority over nature is based on his status as God’s steward, dominion does not mean man is free to use nature however he wishes.  This is so because man is accountable to God as to how he rules Creation.  Stewardship is middle management.  It is a link in God’s chain of command.  Man may be the boss of nature, but God is the boss of man.  Thus, man’s authority exists according to God’s will as expressed by statutes and examples in His holy word. This is consistent with a chain of authority principle stated by the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 11:3. “But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.”

                As God’s middle managers, stewards do not set policy.  Their job is to carry out, or implement policies that were established and passed down by God, who is upper management.  Second Chronicles 7:14 is an example of how God sets policy and gives man authority to implement.  “If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people;  If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”  In the context of God accepting the Temple Solomon built, He established a policy in which idolatry would be punished by ruin coming upon the land and people.  However, the policy also included God’s mercy in which He would heal the land if the people repented and turned back to Him.  This policy tied crop yield directly to obeying God. Once established, how the policy would be implemented was based on the behavior of the people.  In this way, the people influenced whether the land would produce bounty or famine.   

In addition to God’s Holy word revealing man’s God-given authority over nature, it also prescribes principles and examples of how God wants His creation managed.  It tells man what kind of manager God wants him to be.  This is evident in the details and instructions God’s word provides for man’s stewardship of Creation. (This is addressed in more detail in the discussion of the responsibilities of stewardship.)   It is also evident in t that God has retained ultimate dominion over all his Creation.   Moreover, because God retains supreme dominion over Creation, man’s dominion is subordinate to, and properly functions within the framework of God’s dominion.  Evidence of God’s greater dominion is apparent in His ability to control nature in ways man cannot.  For instance, the Apostle’s were amazed at Jesus’ extraordinary power over nature when He calmed the seas.  “And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.  But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!” (Matthew 8:26-27)  Furthermore, God’s complete authority over nature will be both obvious and indisputable when Jesus returns to raise the dead and destroys the heavens and earth at the end of time.  “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”  (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)  “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.”  (2 Peter 3:10) 

                The authority of dominion does not give God’s stewards license to be despots or abusers.  It may require tough choices at times, but whatever the choice its ultimate purpose is to please the owner, who is God.   Jesus Christ is the perfect example of how to correctly use authority. On several occasions during his life on the Earth, people observed that Jesus spoke with and exercised authority.  (See Matthew 7:29, Mark 1:22, 27, Mark 13:34, Luke 4:36, Luke 9:1, John 5:27)  Sometimes He was critical, using His authority to oppose some person, group or custom; as was the case when he drove the moneychangers from the Temple, and when He pronounced woe against the scribes and Pharisees. (Matthew 21:12-13, Matthew 23)  He also used his authority to comfort, heal and teach people.  (See Matthew 8:5-13. Luke 12:32, Matthew 5, Mark 6:34) However, all the Savior did, in every incident in which He exercised authority, He did so according to God’s will.  Not only so Jesus repeatedly indicated he was acting in compliance with God’s will, in His Father’s interest;, that He used His authority within the boundaries of the God’s mandate to save the Elect.  (John 6:38, 8:29, 14:31)

Jesus rebuked James and John for offering to call down fire, use nature, to destroy the Samarians that would not receive the Savior because he journeyed to Jerusalem.  “And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?  But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.”  (Luke 9:54-55)  The offer violated James and John’s authority on at least two levels: 1. As Apostles called to minister to God’s people, they ignored the fact that God had a people among the Samarians (See John 4:726); and, 2. What they proposed was an abuse of power.  Clearly, the Savior was not pleased with them proposing to use their dominion of nature to satisfy their own passions of anger and revenge.  The second point is important in thinking about how man may properly use dominion over nature.  James and John cited the account of Elijah calling fire from heaven to slay the two Captains of Fifty as grounds for their proposed action.  (See 2 Kings 1:1-17) However, the circumstances were different.  The Captains of Fifty were carrying out the orders of Ahaziah, who rejected God and worshipped Baalzebub.  Elijah, as God’s prophet, was opposing a leader who worshipped a false god and demanded those under his authority do likewise.  The Samarians worshipped God; but they were misled by false teachers as to where and how to worship Him.  It is likely they refused to assist the Savior because they assumed he rejected them inasmuch as he insisted on going to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover.  In Elijah’s case, the issue was opposing worship of a false god.  In the case of the Samarians, the issue was incorrectly worshipping the true God.   In addition to the inference of Christ’s regard for the Samarians, one may reasonably infer from the Savior’s rebuke that man’s dominion over nature is legitimately acted upon with a spirit of fear toward God and respect for His creation, not impetuous behaviors driven by carnal lusts.

To be continued.

           Elder Mike Ivey

Prayer And Praise

Please remember Sister Emma Jean Parker of Golden Gate Primitive Baptist Church.  She begins chemo on June 15th.

Sister Andrea Hasyenmyer will undergo surgery on June 11. 

Sister Cindi Lambert and Tiffany have moved back to Mineral Wells and will be attending church there.

Please pray for Sister Linda Ivey's longtime co-workers who were laid off on June 5th.

Continue to pray for the family of Elder George Johnson and for Lubbock church as they seek God's will in selecting a new pastor.

Also, Sister Loretta Rollins is undergoing another round of chemotherapy

Prayers of Thanksgiving for the good report Bro. Parker Lowrance got after his surgery.

Thank you Lord for Brother Eric Mackey's new job.

Thanksgiving for Bro. Justin and Sister Angie Ewing for Bro. Justin's new job, the sale of their home in Austin, and purchase of a new home in Little Elm.

Continue to pray for Bro. David Holman who is on active duty in Iraq.

Pray for our members who struggle with regular church attendance.

Pray for those who are seeking work or face uncertainty with their jobs.

June Calendar

2 - Birthday:   Bonnie Bearden

3 - Services @ 7:00 pm

3 - Anniversary:  Chris & Bonnie Bearden

3 - Birthday : Rob Lohrke

7 - Services @ 10:30 am

7 - Anniversary:  Houston & Kenda Giles

10 - Services @ 7:00 pm

13 - Services @ 10:30 am

17 - Services @ 7:00 pm

20 - Services @ 10:30 am

20 - Birthday:  Will Giles

20 - Birthday: Cameron McAnally

24 - Services @ 7:00 pm

26 - Birthday:  Amy Mackey

27 - Birthday: Deborah Lohrke

28 - Services @ 10:30 am

28 - Birthday: Kevin McAnally

Important Dates to Remember

Quarterly Conference – 2^nd Sunday in Jan, April, July, and Oct

Annual Meeting – Friday before 4^th Sunday in March

Communion – 2^nd Sunday in March & 4^th Sunday in Sept

Call for Pastor, Assistant Pastor & Clerk – 2^nd Sunday in Jan

Read Articles of Faith / Church Covenant – 1^st Sunday in Feb

Email version of “Press Toward” available

If you currently receive a hard copy of the newsletter either at Church or through the U.S. mail and would prefer to have it Emailed to you, please send a request to bwktbarr@sbcglobal.net with “Please Email Press Toward” in the subject line.

Ministering Servants

Elder Mike Ivey, Pastor   Phone: 972-292-0309, 940-453-8867 (cell)  Email: mivey1@juno.com

Elder Mark Hasenmyer   Phone: 972-874-5591, 469-235-3154 (cell)  Email: mhas1@verizon.net

As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.  If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.  These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

                                                               John 15:9-13