Christianity & Stewardship (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Religious Studies): Revision Note

Humanity as stewards of the Earth

• In the book of Genesis, Christians learn that God created the whole world, creating humans last of all

• God gave humans the responsibility of caring for the Earth he had created

• Stewardship is the belief that God appointed humans to be the stewards (caretakers) of his creation

  • This responsibility is also outlined in Genesis 2, where Adam (the first man) was given the task of looking after the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:15) 

    • This responsibility was then passed on to all other humans

  • The Bible says, “The Earth belongs to the Lord and everything on it” (Psalms 24:1), meaning that the natural world does not belong to humans to treat as they wish

• As stewards, Christians believe that people have been appointed by God to respect the world, working with nature to preserve what God has given

  • As a result, we should use what is provided in a sustainable way for our survival

  • The world is complex and fascinating, inspires a sense of awe in humans and is evidence of God’s creative power

  • The world has value to Christians and therefore should be preserved

• Christians believe that they will be judged when they die based on how they have treated the world

• The belief that humans are stewards of the Earth impacts the behaviour of Christians in everyday life

Christian responsibilities as stewards

• Stewardship means looking after the world on God’s behalf 

• Christians believe humans are the caretakers of creation, not the owners

• Christians have a duty to treat the world and every natural resource with respect and care

  • This means protecting the environment and preserving it for future generations

  • Pollution, waste and climate change are seen by many Christians as forms of disrespect to God’s creation

• Christians have a duty to show stewardship by addressing the problems that have arisen from the misuse of the planet

• Practical ways they can show responsibility as stewards include:

  • Reducing pollution, for example, by using public transport, recycling and avoiding single-use plastics

  • Supporting conservation groups that seek to protect endangered species and natural habitats

  • Using energy responsibly by choosing renewable energy, turning off lights or installing solar panels

  • Avoiding overconsumption by living simply and sustainably, avoiding unnecessary purchases and waste

  • Promoting awareness of the environment by teaching others about climate change and environmental justice, often through church groups

• All of these actions are seen as part of showing love to others, especially the poor, who often suffer most from environmental harm

  • Stewardship is about justice: those who are fortunate enough to have plenty need to work towards ensuring all people have clean air, water and a safe place to live