Psalm 24:1 “The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it;”
There are many contestable matters that arise when attempting to determine what a Godly relationship with creation might look like. However, I believe there are also a few concepts that are foundational and difficult to contest. One of these I believe is that that “the earth is the Lord's and everything in it...” (Psalm 24:1, 1 Cor 10:26).
If you believe God created the earth, I don’t think it’s a stretch to believe that He was in possession of it at that time. God was not an artist for hire, creating something that ultimately was owned by someone else when it was completed. God owned His creation. However, what God chose to do with that ownership afterwards might be contested. Some may believe that ultimate ownership was turned over to mankind. Others might believe that it was turned over to Satan, at least for a time.
The idea of ownership I believe is an important one, which could drastically change a person’s worldview in regards to their role on this earth. I recently read about an individual that claimed ownership of creation. In Ezekiel 29:3-4, God said that Pharaoh in Egypt had boasted “the Nile is mine; I made it for myself”. That statement certainly showed no level of perceived accountability. Then in Exodus 9:29, God declared that the devastating plagues of Egypt were given “so you may know that the earth is the Lords”. I think Pharaoh might have been mistaken.
If God still retains complete ownership of His creation, it only makes sense to me that our roles by default do not rise above that of manager or steward. It makes sense to me that there is inherent accountability and responsibility for those that use and benefit from it. It also makes sense to me that the broad instructions guiding our hearts and actions out of love for God and love for our neighbors can be applied to our roles in creation as well. I don’t think these are too bold of statements. However, what do you think?
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