Creepy Crawlies and the Faithful Stewardship Of Creation

Scientists at University of Hong Kong estimate total mass of ants on earth is 12 megatons of dry carbon. That means: weigh more than all the wild birds/mammals put together.

Amazing creatures too:

Can lift 20 x body weight. If 200lbs human could do the same they would lift 4,000lbs.

Also, did better than dogs during the Coronavirus pandemic. Because they have antibodies, not doggy bodies!!

God must really love ants!

Genesis 1:24–25 NLT

Then God said, “Let the earth produce every sort of animal, each producing offspring of the same kind—livestock, small animals that scurry along the ground, and wild animals.” And that is what happened. God made all sorts of wild animals, livestock, and small animals, each able to produce offspring of the same kind. And God saw that it was good.

Ants, and bees, and wasps are good after all!

Ants = housekeepers of earth. Turn most of the earth’s soil, drain it, enrich it. Dispose of 90% of corpses of small, dead animals.

As the world’s gardeners, ants spread and plant more seeds than any other creature. (Diane Brady, author)

We are reminded of our place in God’s creation

Preserve what God has made

Look after it, care for it.

Scientists counting insects because worried about insect numbers

Declines in Germany and Puerto Rico.

Over 40% of insect species may go extinct, especially butterflies and beetles.

Explanation (5m)

Human beings called by God to reign over not abuse nature

Genesis 1:28 NLT

Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.”

Authority over rest of creation

A special place in creation. A vast dignity.

Mission: bringing order to the world just as God brought order to the cosmos

Yet you made them only a little lower than God ...

Psalm 8:3–6 NLT

When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers— the moon and the stars you set in place— what are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them? Yet you made them only a little lower than God and crowned them with glory and honor. You gave them charge of everything you made, putting all things under their authority—

Dominion does not mean we are free to exploit creation in a negative way

Paraphrase:

Have a lot of children and populate the earth! Harness its potential and use its resources for your benefit.

We are called to mirror God’s actions in Genesis 1

In allowing creation to be fruitful, multiply, and seeing the beauty and glory in it, and seeing that it is good.

But we have crossed over into abusing it

To the detriment of greater good for us and our children.

Parts of world becoming dirty and ugly.

City air being turned into smog.

Rivers polluted. Current controversy about sewage being released into the sea.

Toxic chemicals affecting the soil.

Oceans have become rubbish tips.

Environmental disasters such as oil spills, polluted beaches, chemical rain, loss of rain forests.

We need to remember we only rule creation under God’s authority

Dominion, authority, rule over creation is a privilege not a right.

Application (5m)

As we waft away the bees and the wasps (or sit stock still, or panic) or as we watch the ants at work we must remember to be good stewards of creation

We are stewards - God’s servants - not owners

God created the cosmos for himself, not for us. We look after it for him. We manage it for the owner. We manage it for his glory and benefit, not for our own.

Respect our fellow human beings as being made in God’s image

When I think about some of the things I say to people, or even worse, some of the things I think about people, I feel ashamed, especially if I imagine saying them to God.

Appreciate the gifts we have in creation, not wasting them or exploiting them

Accept creation as a gift (even the creepy crawlies!), guard it as a precious resource, and invest in it for the glory of God.

Next Steps

Song: We are lords of all creation

1 We are lords of all creation with the power to break or mend; playing 'god' we tune the genome from life's birthing to its end. 2 We are stewards, but forgetful of responsibility to the gift you give to nurture: cosmic creativity. 3 God, forgive our selfish grasping. calling what you loan our own. We rejoice in your creation; help us share all you have sown. 4 Help us work with your direction, taking joy in all you give. Let us join as co-creators, spirit, hone the lives we live. Andrew E. Pratt (born 1948) © 2006 Stainer & Bell Ltd. 8 7 8 7 Used By Permission. CCL Licence No. 135015 Copied from HymnQuest: Copyright Licence Users' Edition HymnQuest ID: 42581 CCLI#:

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