- Joined
- Apr 25, 2006
- Messages
- 17,518
29 April 2007
Ecclesiastes 3:16-22
I also saw this here on earth: Where there should have been justice, there was evil; where there should have been right, there was wrong. I said to myself, God has planned a time for every thing and every action, so he will judge both good people and bad.
I decided that God leaves it the way it is to test people and to show them they are just like animals. The same thing happens to animals and to people; they both have the same breath, so they both die. People are no better off than the animals, because everything is useless. Both end up the same way; both came from dust and both will go back to dust. Who can be sure that the human spirit goes up to God and that the spirit of an animal goes down into the ground? So I saw that the best thing people can do is to enjoy their work, because that is all they have. No one can help another person see what will happen in the future.
What is the difference between people and animals? At first glance, Solomon seems to be saying that there is no difference. "People ... are just like animals. The same thing happens to animals and to people ... they both die". There's a nice, cheery thought to start the day!
Of course, there is a lot of similarity between people and animals. We all depend on God for life, we depend on him for our physical needs and we will all die.
But there are things which separate people from animals, and of course Solomon knew this. In Genesis 1:27, "God created humans to be like himself" - meaning that, for example, we can think and reason, and we can make intelligent choices and moral decisions. We are also capable of an intimate personal relationship with God.
What does this mean for our relationship with animals, and indeed the whole of creation? In Genesis 1:28, God told us to "fill the earth with people and bring it under your control. Rule over the fish ... the birds ... and every animal".
This verse has been used as an excuse for us to exploit the earth for the benefit of humanity, without worrying about the effect on other creatures. But the truth is very different. God has placed us in a position of responsibility, with a charge to look after the world and all in it.
The Anglican Church has 5 Marks of Mission, the 5th of which is "to strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and to sustain the life of the earth". In this time when the issues of climate change and global warming are often in the headlines, every Christian should be doing all they can to adhere to this Mark of Mission. What are you doing to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain the life of the earth?
Almighty God, you have made us fellow workers in your creation. Help us to use the resources of nature wisely, that no one may suffer from our abuse of them, and that future generations may also praise you for the wonders of the world. Amen.
Written by Capt. Chris Routledge CA.
Ecclesiastes 3:16-22
I also saw this here on earth: Where there should have been justice, there was evil; where there should have been right, there was wrong. I said to myself, God has planned a time for every thing and every action, so he will judge both good people and bad.
I decided that God leaves it the way it is to test people and to show them they are just like animals. The same thing happens to animals and to people; they both have the same breath, so they both die. People are no better off than the animals, because everything is useless. Both end up the same way; both came from dust and both will go back to dust. Who can be sure that the human spirit goes up to God and that the spirit of an animal goes down into the ground? So I saw that the best thing people can do is to enjoy their work, because that is all they have. No one can help another person see what will happen in the future.
What is the difference between people and animals? At first glance, Solomon seems to be saying that there is no difference. "People ... are just like animals. The same thing happens to animals and to people ... they both die". There's a nice, cheery thought to start the day!
Of course, there is a lot of similarity between people and animals. We all depend on God for life, we depend on him for our physical needs and we will all die.
But there are things which separate people from animals, and of course Solomon knew this. In Genesis 1:27, "God created humans to be like himself" - meaning that, for example, we can think and reason, and we can make intelligent choices and moral decisions. We are also capable of an intimate personal relationship with God.
What does this mean for our relationship with animals, and indeed the whole of creation? In Genesis 1:28, God told us to "fill the earth with people and bring it under your control. Rule over the fish ... the birds ... and every animal".
This verse has been used as an excuse for us to exploit the earth for the benefit of humanity, without worrying about the effect on other creatures. But the truth is very different. God has placed us in a position of responsibility, with a charge to look after the world and all in it.
The Anglican Church has 5 Marks of Mission, the 5th of which is "to strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and to sustain the life of the earth". In this time when the issues of climate change and global warming are often in the headlines, every Christian should be doing all they can to adhere to this Mark of Mission. What are you doing to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain the life of the earth?
Almighty God, you have made us fellow workers in your creation. Help us to use the resources of nature wisely, that no one may suffer from our abuse of them, and that future generations may also praise you for the wonders of the world. Amen.
Written by Capt. Chris Routledge CA.
