RSLC Blogs

                After discussing the fact that any theology of the environment needs to be grounded in Creation, we can move on to the next topic: Stewardship.  We need to begin to see stewardship as something much broader than the use of money.  In fact the only references to a Steward are in the Old Testament.  There is one reference to a steward in the New Testament but that is also not about money.

                So what is a Steward?  A steward is one who cares for the things under them.  A steward protects, serves, and especially cares for the things given to them.  Typically the things in which the steward cares for are NOT their own but someone else’s possessions.

                Adam and Eve at the beginning of Creation are placed into Stewardship roles.  Genesis 2:15 “The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.”  That was the role of humanity; to work and care for the Garden.  Now our role as stewards of God’s Creation has not changed even with the fall.  Now, instead of our work being easy as stewards over God’s Creation, our work is hard and difficult but we are still called to work and care for God’s Creation.

                All of this means that if we are to consider ourselves Stewards in the Christian sense, then we need to open to the doors of Stewardship; step away from the concept of money stewardship and look at being a Steward of ALL creation.  This, now, has many implications of how we live in our environment.  So next time we will be looking at living the life of a Steward.