Why Earth Day Should Matter to Christians

As Christians, we strive to follow Jesus in all aspects of our lives. Yet, if we’re honest, many of us engage in what John Stott called "selective discipleship," picking and choosing the areas of life where we submit to Christ’s authority while neglecting others that seem less convenient or more costly. One of these often-overlooked areas is the care of God’s creation, something that should concern us deeply—especially as Earth Day approaches.

Why Should Christians Care About Earth Day?

The Bible is clear: "The Earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it" (Psalm 24:1). If we truly believe that God created the Earth, then we should also believe that it’s our responsibility to care for it. Earth Day isn’t just about a secular "green" movement; it’s an opportunity for Christians to recognize our role as stewards of God’s creation.

Unfortunately, when the topic of environmental care comes up, many Christians still react with skepticism. It’s often dismissed as a liberal agenda or an unnecessary concern, but this perspective misses the biblical mandate to care for what God has made. We aren’t just caretakers of the Earth; we are stewards appointed by the Creator Himself. This responsibility is not about political alignment or cultural trends—it’s about faithfulness to God’s calling.

Creation Care as a Form of Discipleship

John Stott, a respected Christian leader and author, challenged the Church to consider areas of discipleship that have been neglected, including the care of creation. In his final book, The Radical Disciple, Stott lamented the lack of dialogue around environmental issues within the evangelical community. He urged Christians to reconsider how we live out our faith in relation to the world God has given us.

Caring for the Earth is more than just a noble idea—it’s a form of discipleship. Genesis 1 gives us the concept of dominion, which means to "till and keep" the Earth, to cultivate and preserve it. This isn’t about domination or exploitation; it’s about stewardship, compassion, and partnership with God in maintaining His creation.

Recognizing the Value of God’s Creation

Every part of creation has value, not because we deem it useful or profitable, but because God made it and declared it good. From the smallest sparrow to the vastest ocean, all of creation reflects the glory of its Creator. As Jesus reminds us, "Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care" (Matthew 10:29). If God’s eye is on the sparrow, shouldn’t ours be too?

Our approach to Earth Day can reflect our commitment to God’s creation. Small, intentional actions—whether it’s recycling, reducing waste, or simply spending time in nature—can serve as acts of worship and stewardship. These small steps can ripple out, influencing our communities and helping us grow in our discipleship.

Practical Steps for Christians on Earth Day

• Get Outside and Observe: Start by spending time in nature. Slow down, listen to the sounds of birds, or watch bees pollinating flowers. Recognizing the intricacies of God’s creation can inspire us to care for it more deeply.

• Educate Yourself: Understanding the impact of our actions on the environment is crucial. Did you know that 60 million water bottles are thrown into U.S. landfills every day? Or that 23.3 million animals are slaughtered daily in America alone? These numbers are staggering, and they challenge us to rethink our consumption habits.

• Take Small, Intentional Steps: Consider swapping out single-use items like plastic bottles and straws for reusable alternatives. Change your incandescent bulbs to energy-saving LEDs. Plant a tree, not just as an environmental act, but as a symbol of hope and renewal in God’s kingdom. If you eat meat, consider choosing locally sourced options or reducing your meat consumption as a way to lessen the environmental impact of industrial farming.

• Embrace a Holistic Discipleship: Caring for creation doesn’t mean ignoring other issues like the refugee crisis or poverty. As Christians, we’re called to address multiple aspects of discipleship. Just as we care for the least of these, we’re also called to care for the Earth that sustains us all. Small acts of kindness toward creation can prepare our hearts for greater acts of compassion in all areas of life.

Reconsidering Selective Discipleship

Have we been guilty of selective discipleship, ignoring the call to care for God’s creation? As Leo Tolstoy once wrote, "We are not ostriches, and cannot believe that if we refuse to look at what we do not wish to see, it will not exist." We can no longer pretend that environmental stewardship isn’t our concern. As Christians, we must acknowledge our role in God’s creation and take active steps to fulfill it.

Earth Day offers a chance to reflect on our stewardship of the Earth and to renew our commitment to God’s mandate. Let’s use this day—and every day—to honor our Creator by caring for the world He entrusted to us.

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