Stewardship

1. Stewardship

3. Genesis 2:19-20 “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over … every living thing.” Genesis 2:15 “The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it.” For each verse, tell me what God is trying to ask us as humans to do. Are we rulers? Are there potential consequences?

4. Power Over the Earth“We are not gods, but stewards of the earth.”-U.S. Catholic Bishops.

5. Often people have related to the earth in a way that exercises the power and control of God. They take a power-over approach to the earth. • When people claim sole power over the earth, they contradict the call of stewardship. A power-over-the earth worldview is characterized by the following: “The earth has no value by itself. The only value it has is what it can produce for us.” “The earth is being owned by whoever has the power to take it.” • This approach fails to consider the consequences to creation and the common good. • The earth is a limitless resource. • A power-over approach does not respect the limits of the earth. • In a power-over–the- earth worldview, humans are above the integrity of creation, not part of it. How does God intend for us to live?

6. As Caretakers of the Environment The U.S. Catholics bishops, in renewing the Earth stated: “People share the earth with the other creatures. But humans, made in the image and likeness of God, are called in a special way to “cultivate and care for it” (Gen. 2:15). Men and women, therefore bear a unique responsibility under God: to safeguard the created world and by their creative labour even enhance it. Safeguarding creation requires us to live responsibly within rather than manage creation as though we are outside it. The human family is charged with preserving the beauty, diversity, and integrity of nature as well as fostering its productivity. Yet God alone is sovereign over the whole earth…Humanity stands responsible for ensuring that all nature can continue to thrive as God intended…We are not free, therefore, to use created things capriciously.”

7. Keys to Stewardship: • Respect for the sacramental earth It is no wonder many people feel they encounter the presence of God when they stand in awe at the beauty of nature. This is why the church describes the natural world as sacramental: it reveals the presence of God in a visible and tangible way. Respect for creation, which is the foundation of stewardship, is based on respect for God’s presence in it. • A Gift for the Common Good God intended humans to benefit from creation. “God has given the fruit of the earth to sustain the entire human family without excluding or favouring anyone.” Human dominion over the earth is meant to be driven by love, not greed. Humans must safeguard natural resources to ensure that they benefit all people. • Caring for Creation We are not gods over creation; but, as images of God, we are called to reflect his care for creation. The right to natural resources is balanced by responsibility to ensure the well being of the natural world. This means actively working to preserve animals, and natural resources. Part of the challenge is recognizing the earth’s need for rest from human consumption. It is true that we cannot avoid consuming the earth’s resources or polluting to some extent. The trick is to provide for the common good in a way that preserves creations integrity. The integrity of creation depends on justice within the human community.

8. LIVING JUSTICE AND PEACE Read pages 267 to 269 together. Read pages 272 to 275 independently. *Answer questions #9-12 on page 275 in your Journal Go to page 278 and copy down each of the ways you can show stewardship of the earth. For each, create a symbol. Example: Reduce your consumption