What does the Bible have to do with taking care of the Earth, especially as travelers?
As a Christian, I believe that God has created the universe, from the vastness of space to the intricacies of your fingerprints. And it is everyone’s responsibility to be stewards of it and take care of it. If you are a traveler and/or a travel content creator, you have an even greater responsibility, as your words can influence your audience (for better or for worse).
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Faith and responsible travel
I’ve been learning more about how to travel ethically, especially with all the topics surrounding climate change, sustainable travel, responsible travel, and overtourism. I’m sure not perfect but I’m doing what I can.
Unfortunately, the topic of climate change is a deeply divided issue despite science proving that the Earth is suffering. And what’s even more unfortunate is that many Christians are denying that climate change is real (but I won’t talk more about it here).
Because God created the Earth using His power and science as a tool, I believe that we should we doing everything we can to not burn it down or trample people, animals, trees, etc. because if one organism suffers, we all suffer.
The late Billy Graham couldn’t have said it any better:
Why should we be concerned about the environment? It isn’t just because of the dangers we face from pollution, climate change, or other environmental problems—although these are serious. For Christians, the issue is much deeper: We know that God created the world, and it belongs to Him, not us. Because of this, we are only stewards or trustees of God’s creation, and we aren’t to abuse or neglect it. The Bible says, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it” (Psalm 24:1).
Billy Graham
Bible verses about taking care of the Earth
There’s little things we can do everyday to protect our dwellings. I hope these Bible verses about taking care of the Earth can bless and inspire you to take action!
Most of these verses are more than likely going to be from the books of Genesis and Psalms. I am also using the NRSV (New Revised Standard Version).
Feel free to pin the graphics with verses on them! The images are photos I took.
RELATED: Learn about how I share my faith through blogging.
Bible verses about the skies and space
- “And God said, ‘Let there be lights in the dome of the sky to separate the day from the night; and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years, and let them be lights in the dome of the sky to give light upon the earth.’ And it was so.” (Genesis 1:14–15)
- “When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established, what are humans that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them?” (Psalm 8:3–4)
- “The heavens are telling the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.” (Psalm 19:1)
- “The heavens are Yours; the earth also is yours; the world and all that is in it—you founded them.” (Psalm 89:11)
- “Lift up your eyes on high and see: Who created these? He who brings their host and numbers them, calling them all by name, because he is great in strength, mighty in power, not one is missing.” (Isaiah 40:26)
- “He made the Bear and Orion, the Pleiades and the chambers of the south, He does great things beyond understanding and marvelous things without number.” (Job 9:9—10)
- “There is one glory of the sun and another glory of the moon and another glory of the stars; indeed, stars differ from star in glory.” (1 Corinthians 15:41)
Put these verses into action by:
- Donating to Clean Air Task Force
- Vote for candidates who aim to reduce climate change and better the environment.
- Walking and taking public transporation as much as possible (kinda hard to do if you live in a sprawling area like Sacramento or LA, but do what you can)
- Choosing to stay in certified eco-friendly hotels
- Visiting natural history musems, which are also research institutes and non-profits. I recommended California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco or American Museum of Natural History in New York City!
Bible verses about the oceans and waters
- “So God made the dome and separated the waters that were under the dome from the waters that were above the dome. And it was so.” (Genesis 1:7)
- “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you, when you walk through the fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.” (Isaiah 43:2)
- “You rule the raging of the sea; when its waves rise, you still” (Pslam 89:9)
- “A generous person will be enriched, and one who gives water will get water.” (Proverbs 11:25)
- “Wherever the river goes, every living creature that swarms will live, and there will be many fish once these waters reach there. It will become fresh, and everything will live where the river goes.” (Ezekiel 47:7—9)
Put these verses into action by:
- Not throwing trash in the water
- Wearing reef-safe sunscreen
- Volunteering to do beach clean-up
- Minimizing (or eliminating) plastic water bottles
- Eating sustainable seafood. Learn more through Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch.
- Not touching creatures such as turtles and sea lions
Bible verses about trees and plants
- “Then God said, ‘Let the Earth put forth vegetation: plants yeilding seed and fruit trees of every kind on Earth that bear fruit with the seed in it.’ And it was so. The Earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed after their kind, and trees bearing fruit with seed in them, after their kind; and God saw that it was good.” (Genesis 1:11—12)
- “You cause the grass to grow for the cattle and plants for people to cultivate, to bring forth food from the Earth.” (Psalm 104:14)
- “I will plant in the wilderness the cedar and the acacia tree, the myrtle and the oil tree; I will set in the desert the cypress tree and the pine, and the box tree together, that they may see and know, and consider and understand together, that the hand of the Lord has done this, and the Holy One of Israel has created it.” (Isaiah 41:19—20)
- “He cuts down cedars or chooses a holm tree or an oak and lets it grow strong among the trees of the forest. He plants a cedar and the rain nourishes it.” (Isaiah 44:14)
- “Then shall the trees of the forest sing for joy before the Lord, for he comes to judge the Earth.” (1 Chronicles 16:33)
- “Then he took a seedling from the land, placed it in fertile soil; a plant by abundant waters, he set it like a willow twig. It sprouted and became a vine spreading out but low; its branches turned toward him; its roots remained where it stood. So it became a vine; it brought forth branches, put forth foilage.” (Ezekiel 17:5—6)
Put these verses into action by:
- Leaving no trace in forests, parks and trails (this also applies to beaches!)
- Minimizing the use of printing things
- Planting a tree
- Staying only in marked trails
Bible verses about animals
- “And God said, ‘Let the Earth bring forth living creatures of every kind: cattle and creeping things and wild animals of the Earth of every kind.’ And it was so. God made the wild animals of the Earth of every kind and the cattle of every kind and everything that creeps upon the ground of every kind. And God saw that it was good.” (Genesis 1:24—25)
- “The Lord is good to all, and His compassion is over all that He has made.” (Psalm 145:9)
- “He gives to the animals their food, and to the young ravens when they cry.” (Psalm 147:9)
- “But ask the animals, and they will teach you, the birds of the air, and they will tell you; ask the plants of the Earth, and they will teach you, and the fish of the sea will declare to you. Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In His hand is the life of every living thing, and the breath of every human being.” (Job 12:7—10)
- “The righteous know about the needs of their animals, but the mercy of the wicked is cruel. (Proverbs 12:10)
- “Look at the birds of air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” (Matthew 6:26)
Put these verses into action by:
- Fostering or adopting an animal at your local shelter
- Saying no to activities that exploit animals (elephant rides, horse carriages, SeaWorld, selfies with tigers, etc.)
- Reducing your meat intake (which also helps with your carbon footprint)
Using the Bible to inspire you to take care of the Earth
I understand that not all of my readers share my faith and beliefs. Regardless of what you believe, there’s one think I know to be true: we all need to be good stewards of the Earth for our fellow persons, especially for generations to come. And because as travelers who cherish the Earth, we want to do our best to preserve it as much as possible, as other organisms help us back.
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Hannah is a travel writer, graphic designer, and the founder/editor of Hannah on Horizon. She is based in Sacramento, California, living with her husband and two adorable dogs. She shares tips on how to experience luxury travel on any budget, and how to maximize time at each trip or destination, no matter what your budget or amount of vacation time at work. She enjoys making you feel like you have visited each destination with her through her storytelling and informative writing style.