The Scene of This World: Take time to 'calculate the expense'

1:39 PM, Mar. 5, 2013  |  Comments
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Open-pit mining. Hydraulic fracturing. Concentrated animal feeding.

The past few years have brought with them multiple occasions for Wisconsin residents to educate themselves about environmentally sensitive business operations. Supporters view these enterprises as innovative, job-creating opportunities. Opponents see them as potential dangers to precious natural resources.

Given the state of the world's economy, one understands both the enthusiasm and the need to diversify the business base and reap the jobs that go with it. What concerns many is the seeming haste to declare, "All systems 'Go'!"

As Jesus Christ counseled, "Who of you that wants to build a tower does not first sit down and calculate the expense?" (Luke 14:28)

Entrepreneurs generally initiate these ventures with extensive planning and substantial funding, so monetary or capital "expense" does not appear to be a problem. But those who view themselves as "temporary residents" (Hebrews 11:9) of this world also figure in the environmental cost.

This is not hypothetical philosophizing. A court trial began Monday, with the goal of determining the extent to which British Petroleum, or BP, should be held liable for the Gulf of Mexico oil spill three years ago. The accident began with a rig explosion that killed 11 workers and damaged beaches and marshes in five gulf states. Under one proposed settlement, BP would have to pay an estimated $16 billion in fines and penalties.

While ecological disasters of this kind thankfully are rare, they do remind us that our natural bounty was created by someone else. When we consider what the late Carl Sagan proclaimed to be "billions upon billions" of stars - the nearest of which "float" in such orderly patterns that space launches are scheduled around their locations - we are reminded that, "the heavens are declaring the glory of God; and the work of his hands the expanse is telling." (Psalm 19:1)

When we view the staggering variety, incomprehensible complexity and uncanny symbiosis of life forms here on our tiny planet, we in our own way may respond as did King David, who sang, "How many Your works are ? All of them in wisdom You have made. The earth is full of Your productions." (Psalm 104:24) We who believe in a Grand Provider do so because "His invisible qualities are clearly seen from the world's creation onward, because they are perceived by the things made ? so that they are inexcusable." (Romans 1:20)

But taking advantage of these riches brings with it a responsibility. After creating "all vegetation bearing seed which is on the surface of the whole earth and every tree on which there is the fruit" (Genesis 1:29), God gave his human creation a task: To "cultivate and to take care of" the resources he had provided. (Genesis 2:15) The desire to protect our air, water and soil and to conserve energy follows in line with that decree.

Back in 2010, for example, the People's Republic of China announced that it would greatly reduce its exports of rare earths - physical elements that are vital to the production of high-technology items such as computers and electric motors, and which require labor-intensive methods of extraction. Many countries that had grown reliant upon China adjusted by rethinking the way their products were designed and manufactured, and by creatively recycling other materials.

There is no need to say "No" to every project that carries an ecological risk. But neither is there a need to hastily sign contracts or "fast-track" legislation. We have an accounting with those who follow us, both during these changing times and in the future, when "(His) kingdom come(s) ? as in heaven, also upon earth." (Matthew 6:10)

Jesse Austin writes a monthly column, "The Scene of This World."

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