Hello

 

Jesus teaches us, his followers, to love our neighbors. I reckon this teaching tells us everything we need to know about how we should respond to climate change.  Everyone on this planet is our neighbor. We also need to consider future generations, our children and their children, are they our neighbors? Of course they are. We have a duty to them; to love them, look after them, and make sure they have what they need. Let’s face it, we are stealing from them.

I often hear people saying that someone else should do something about climate change. Many people say the politicians should do something. I don’t have faith that politicians will do very much. I regularly hear politicians say they are doing this or doing that to combat climate change, but they also say how important it is to have an economy that’s growing. For me, a growing economy must mean more greenhouse gases. And, of course, political parties take money from big businesses. So, I don’t have faith that politicians will do very much.

I reckon we have to do something ourselves.

Everything we use is manufactured. This includes things we need such as food, clothes, and housing, as well as the many, many things we use that we do not need.  Manufacturing creates the gases that are causing climate change.  So, everything we use has been manufactured and has added to those gases.

One way we can love our neighbors, and slow climate change, is by not buying stuff we don’t need. It’s that simple.

It’s time to start ignoring the advertisers who tell us that we need stuff that we really don’t need. We can pray that we won’t be deceived by the advertisers.

If we use up the earth’s resources now, for our own comfort, ignoring the needs of our neighbors including future generations, we are being selfish. Sin is selfishness. Selfishness is sin. And this generation is being very selfish. Let’s stop selfishly buying things we don’t need.

Finally, think about this: if I stop buying things I don’t need, I will have more money. I can pay off my credit card or mortgage more quickly. Maybe I can spend money loving my neighbors, helping others including doing things that will heal our planet rather than hurt it. Planting trees perhaps.

Of course, I can’t read what I’ve written without thinking about recent purchases I’ve made which weren’t really necessary. So, I’m a hypocrite. Does that mean I shouldn’t write about climate change? What do others think?

May our loving heavenly Father bless us and guide us as we walk the path he walks with us.

 

Peter O

 

Related articles

What did Jesus teach about loving others?

What did Jesus teach about sin?

This post is also available in: