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    What Does the Bible Say About Caring for the Environment?

    What Does the Bible Say About Caring for the Environment? God gave humanity dominion over creation not to exploit it, but to steward and care for it as a sacred trust.

    Key verse: Genesis 2:15 (KJV)

    God gave humanity dominion over creation not to exploit it, but to steward and care for it as a sacred trust.

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    God gave humanity dominion over creation not to exploit it, but to steward and care for it as a sacred trust.

    "And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it." — Genesis 2:15 (KJV)

    The Biblical Answer

    From the beginning, God placed humans in the Garden of Eden to 'dress it and to keep it' — to cultivate and guard it. This mandate of stewardship extends to all creation. The Psalms declare that the earth is the Lord's and everything in it. God's care for creation is evident in passages about providing food for animals, giving rest to the land in sabbath years, and prohibiting wanton destruction of fruit trees even during war. While creation groans under the curse of sin and awaits ultimate restoration, believers have a present responsibility to care wisely for the world God made. Environmental stewardship is not a political issue but a theological one — the earth belongs to God, and we are its temporary custodians.

    Topic Overview

    What Does the Bible Say About Climate Change?

    What the Bible teaches about creation care, environmental stewardship, and the future of the earth.

    Key Scripture References

    "And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it."
    "The earth is the LORD's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein."
    "For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God... Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption."

    Frequently asked questions

    Frequently asked questions

    Related Questions

    Deep Dive Commentary

    For a more in-depth study, read our verse-by-verse commentary:

    Related Reading

    Continue your study with related content from across our library:

    Read it in context

    The answer above sits inside Genesis. The 365-day chronological plan reads it in the order the events happened.

    Read Genesis on day 11 of the chronological Bible reading plan

    Keep the verses to hand

    Every verse quoted in “What Does the Bible Say About Caring for the Environment?” comes from the King James Version, free to download and print.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    From the beginning, God placed humans in the Garden of Eden to 'dress it and to keep it' — to cultivate and guard it. This mandate of stewardship extends to all creation. The Psalms declare that the earth is the Lord's and everything in it. God's care for creation is evident in passages about providing food for animals, giving rest to the land in sabbath years, and prohibiting wanton destruction of fruit trees even during war. While creation groans under the curse of sin and awaits ultimate restoration, believers have a present responsibility to care wisely for the world God made. Environmental stewardship is not a political issue but a theological one — the earth belongs to God, and we are its temporary custodians.

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