Responsible Leadership

"Therefore, whatever you want others to do for you, do also the same for them—this is the Law and the Prophets." Matthew 7:12 (HCSB)

1. Should limits/restrictions be placed on lifestyle choices and resource usage in third-world countries who are becoming technologically advanced while simultaneously growing in population?
2. What kind of example are we showing as Americans (specifically as Christians in America) with our lifestyle choices of natural resource usage to the rest of the world?

Everyone knows the epitome of bad parenting is the statement, "Do as I say, not as I do". It is the height of hypocrisy to direct others to actions that we are unwilling to undertake. It is also hypocritical to pay lip service to what we say is important, but not follow through with actions to back up our words. Jesus said, "But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?" Luke 6:46 (HCSB). He then goes on to share the parable of the houses built on rocks and sand. A wise person not only hears and understands, but takes the appropriate actions. This is the person who builds his house on the rock. A foolish person hears and understands, but chooses to do as he pleases regardless. This is the person who builds his house on sand.

For generations America has chosen to build her house on the sand of growing ecological disaster. I gratefully acknowledge that the United States has taken great strides toward a more environmentally friendly national posture. However, much remains to be accomplished. How can we play the part of global police and direct others to act, when we ourselves have acted just as bad in the past? Developing countries are growing through the same issues that we dealt with a generation ago, and are causing the same environmental damage that we did. I agree that we can provide valuable assistance and knowledge to these countries; knowledge we have learned through many mistakes. Some limits on how developing countries use natural resources are needed and desirable in my opinion. I'm sure those countries would have opposite opinions. In fact, most of those countries probably resent the United States trying to be the world police over so many issues. But before we will gain any legitimacy before the world regarding the environment, we must do more to clean up our act environmentally.

Christians that are serious about stewardship must lead the way. We must educate believers, and the entire population, to environmental dangers and practical solutions. WWJD? What Would Jesus Do? What would He do regarding environmental issues? What would He do regarding stewardship of His creation? What would Jesus drive? A gas-guzzling SUV? A foreign-made economy car? What lifestyle choices would he make to protect the environment? How does Jesus view our use of natural resources?

I never liked the WWJD fad. It is impractical. Often Jesus would do something that I could never do. He is the Son of God; I am not. We should instead ask, "What Would Jesus Have Me Do?" This is a question we should apply to every facet of our lives, including stewardship of the environment.