Like many things in life, focusing for a season on a topic or an issue enables you to integrate any necessary changes into your routine. Being better equipped, you move on to face the ever-changing panorama in front of you. In contrast, looking too long at any single thing (the sun for example), will blind you to everything else.

Our first modern day environmental crisis wave appeared in the 70s with doomsday predictions in almost every area of supply, health, and survival. I remember the dire predictions of only seven years of oil remaining, ten years of copper, starvation for the planet, etc., etc., etc. It was part of the force that compelled me to get my first university degree in Environmental Science.

Almost forty years later, we are in the midst of another wave. The current doomsday predictions have a different twist but will likely be written about forty years from now as unfulfilled as the previous predictions. In trying to make a point, too often facts are exaggerated and they produce the wrong reaction: inaction.

Is there a problem or is it all hype? As Christians, how do we respond to it and those who are waving its banner? If we take a good look at the causes versus the symptoms we can see our role in the real problems and how we can lead others through the maze of legislations, “ecotage,” and green phraseology.

First, is there a problem? Yes. Greed, selfishness, and a disregard for others is always a problem. The disparity between what some have and what others don’t is too obvious to ignore and it doesn’t take much thinking to see that the resources some use could benefit many others.

With worldwide communication, it is also clear that the poorer countries are exploited economically and environmentally by those that desire their resources. The poorer nations are willing to trade their resources for a chance at a better life. They are ravaging their own countries without regard for the consequences.

If the wealthy nations didn’t have an insatiable appetite for material things, the poor countries wouldn’t have to sacrifice their resources and environment for the survival economy it creates. In the developed nations, a factory would never be allowed to do what is done in third world countries. Factories should be forced to clean up the water and air they pollute. However, these costs are avoided in third world countries and the consuming nations get their products at a cheaper price (but at a much higher real cost).

If left unchecked, this kind of irresponsible living brings down all the natural systems and in time, the human systems we know today. How long this will take will depend on how we respond to the real problems at hand. How do we respond without losing the balance that Jesus brings between the complex issues of life?

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. (Mt 7:12)

If we apply that to the environmental situation then we need to see that our over-consumption helps lead to scarcity. Our need for inordinate profit and financial return increases the likelihood for exploitation. Someone has to pay for lunch, there really is no such thing as a free one. So pay a fair price and don’t overeat.

We need to look at the material things we have as though we were trying to do the most good with them. The first direction humans were ever given involved our “rule over” creation. How much material resources we need should be based on what is good for all and not on our style preferences or boredom with a particular article of clothing.

Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” (Gen 1:26)

I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength. (Phil 4:10-13)

We also lose one of our best witnessing tools when we distance ourselves from the creation that many non-Christians are trying to protect. Christians should be naturalists as they admire and draw inspiration and encouragement from God’s handiwork. The best tract ever written gets rewritten every day: creation.

I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. That is why I am so eager to preach the Gospel also to you who are at Rome. I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the Gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: ‘The righteous will live by faith.’ (Rom 1:14-17)

The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities – His eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. (italics mine) (Rom 1:18-20)

When we distance ourselves from creation, we leave people to come up with their own conclusions and the lifestyles that result. Worship the Creator and with admiration, be wise stewards of His creation. This means that we recycle, only take what we need, reuse and pass on material goods, and constantly give credit for creation to the Creator. If we keep His creation sharp and in focus, it is a powerful witnessing opportunity. If we don’t, He tells us what will happen.

For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator – who is forever praised. Amen. (Rom 1:21-25)

Our concern for these misinformed people should override any repulsion their actions might create. They are first and foremost another example of His creation that we need to do our best by.

The application of these convictions produces a Christian who is very green in an environmental sense but also one who is more loving and more influential for culture change and witnessing.

By being “green” we would also get “caught” doing some of the “good works” that we were created for. Churches should be known for their ability to utilize people’s resources to impact the world; through food and clothing banks, overseas mission trips that help in any area of need, and through a low carbon footprint as they recycle and reuse as much as possible. That always creates a positive platform for the Gospel.

For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Eph 2:10)

For each of us, a season of evaluation and change will help prepare us to increase our impact with the resources that come our way. But never lose sight of the real treasure here on earth, the ultimate resource: people.

Mark Schaufler graduated with a degree in Environmental Science and has a Master of Arts in Biblical Literature. He is an author and the founder of Finish-the-Race.org, a youth ministry training program in the United States. He also started and is the CEO of MST Ministries, providing evangelistic preaching, training, and resources; leading over a hundred short term missions on six continents since 1984. Visit www.mstgo.com to find out more about Mark’s ministry.

The New International Version of the Bible has been referenced.