Responsibility to God and to our neighbours.
Read Deuteronomy 6:4-5, Genesis 1:26 and 2:15.
These verses all teach us something about our responsibility and duty towards the land and other things created by God. Discuss the part that God expects us to play. What does this mean in practical terms in our own lives?
When we work in our farms and gardens, look after our animals and care for the sick, on whose behalf are we really working? See Psalm 24:1-2.
When we, or our children or neighbours are sick, or unhealthy because they are not properly fed, who is most concerned?
In which ways is it possible for us to spoil things that belong to God? How can we learn to be faithful stewards?
Read Proverbs 30:7-10.
What should be our attitude to:
- What we get from the land?
- The way we treat other people, especially those less fortunate than ourselves?
- Money?
Our reasons for wanting to improve our health and farming are not just in order to raise our standards of living - it is so that we can glorify God in everything that we do.
Peter Batchelor is a consultant with RURCON.
