There are times when I am irritated by the condition of some of the yards in our neighborhood.  I have difficulty understanding why people do not take care of their yards.  Why would someone prefer weeds and trash over beautiful lawns and gardens? It’s not just a problem of laziness, but bad theology.

Bad theology produces either utter disregard for God’s creation, or an obsession with the environment.  It is also responsible for a common perception today that Christians don’t care about the environment, perhaps due to some faulty theology about excellence and stewardship.

In everything, including stewardship of the environment, Christians ought to be setting the standard for excellence.  Our stewardship of the environment is an act of worship declaring our devotion to God who created everything and placed upon us the responsibility to “work it and take care of it.”

Unlike many “environmentalists” in our world, biblical environmentalists are God-centered, not creation-centered or man-centered.  Our desire is to glorify God as care-takers of the world He has made and given to us – and to do so with unparalleled excellence.  We are committed to leaving a legacy of excellence for future generations to imitate.  Maybe we need to start with our own backyard (or front yard).

FANNING THE FLAME
Partner with your grandchildren to make a list of ways you can work together to be the best stewards of the environment possible.  They are probably already committed to doing most of the things you’ll have on your list, so let this be an opportunity to show them that these are important to you too.  Take care to explain the difference between an “environmentalist”, who worships creation, and a “steward”, who worships the Creator.

GRANDPAUSE: “The heart of the matter is a matter of the heart.” – Rick Warren