Stewardship of the Earth vs. Dominion over the Earth

First Plymouth Church » Sermons » Stewardship of the Earth vs. Dominion over the Earth

Sermon Summary

The true meaning of stewardship emerges when we examine the original Hebrew text of creation, which reveals our role not as dominators but as caretakers of God’s gift. This sacred partnership places us within creation rather than above it, challenging the mistranslations that have led humanity astray. You’re invited to recognize that stewardship means acknowledging your place in the web of life—learning from the geese in the memorial garden, greeting the morning alongside watchful Roger, and understanding that every element of nature deserves respect and protection.
“We forget that we are just the humans on a planet that is not ours. That we are just the humans on a planet that God gave us and said, ‘This is my planet. This is my universe. This is my cosmos, and you may live here for now. You are to take care of it.'”
The earth is now crying out through increasingly severe weather patterns—powerful storms, greater earthquakes, extended tornado and hurricane seasons—signaling that our stewardship has faltered. Yet hope remains in the lessons from COVID, when nature began to heal during human absence.
This invites you to consider how to lessen your footprint and deepen your connection with creation. When you recognize that the river, the forest, or the mountain is “where God is,” you begin to understand true stewardship—welcoming the divine presence in every blade of grass, listening to what the earth needs, and taking seriously your role in healing this remarkable gift entrusted to humanity’s care.

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