This is Earth Day.

Earth Day was established in 1970 by John McConnell to, in his words, “celebrate the wonder of life on our planet.”

Some believers wonder why Christians should be concerned about “celebrating life” and taking care of the environment. Today’s passage tells us why.

First, the Bible tells how God created the heavens and the earth. Then God said it was “excellent in every way.” That means the earth is God’s and that it’s good.

Next, we read about the natural order of creation. Plants, birds, fish, grass, fruit, animals, and humans are all mentioned, and each has a place and purpose.

Then check out God’s instructions to Adam and Eve: “subdue” the earth and “be masters.”

So here’s the deal. God has given us humans a beautiful planet on which to live. It is filled with amazing natural resources to use. But he expects us to be wise and careful in how we treat the water, soil, plants, and animals—our home and our resources. Elsewhere in the Bible, God says that we must be good managers of what he has entrusted to us. (See Luke 12:42-48.) This means no wasting or polluting. And it certainly means taking good care of ourselves and our world.

What can you do to be a better earth manager?

God blessed them and told them, “Multiply and fill the earth and subdue it. Be masters over the fish and birds and all the animals.” And God said, “Look! I have given you the seed-bearing plants throughout the earth and all the fruit trees for your food. And I have given all the grasses and other green plants to the animals and birds for their food.” And so it was. Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was excellent in every way. This all happened on the sixth day (Genesis 1:28-31).

To Do

Take a walk through your neighborhood and pick up trash. And encourage your family to recycle.

Also on this day . . .

1864—The United States Congress mandated that all coins minted as U.S. currency bear the inscription, “In God We Trust.”

1994—On this day the world’s largest lollipop, weighing 3,011 pounds, was made in Denmark.

From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005). Scripture quotations are from the New Living Translation unless otherwise noted.