Stewardship of the Land

"Replenish the earth." Genesis 1:28.

"The Garden of Eden was a representation of what God desired the whole earth to become." Ed 22.

"Families and institutions should learn to do more in the cultivation and improvement of land." CD 312.

"Through disobedience to God Adam and Eve had lost Eden, and because of sin the whole earth was cursed. But if God's people followed His instruction, their land would be restored to fertility and beauty. God Himself gave them directions in regard to the culture of the soil, and they were to co-operate with Him in its restoration. Thus the whole land, under God's control, would become an object lesson of spiritual truth." AH 143, 144.

"Men were to cooperate with God in restoring the diseased land to health, that it might be a praise and a glory to His name. . . . In the laws which God gave for the cultivation of the soil, He was giving the people opportunity to overcome their selfishness and become heavenly-minded. Canaan would be to them as Eden if they obeyed the Word of the Lord. Through them the Lord designed to teach all the nations of the world how to cultivate the soil so that it would yield healthy fruit, free from disease. The earth is the Lord's vineyard, and is to be treated according to His plan. Those who cultivated the soil were to realize that they were doing God service." 1BC 1112.

"Pure, practical religion will be manifested in treating the earth as God's treasure-house . . . lent us in trust." TM 245.

"Any violation of the laws of nature is a violation of the law of God." 1BC 1105.

"False witness has been borne in condemning land which, if properly worked, would yield rich returns. The narrow plans, the little strength put forth, the little study as to the best methods, call loudly for reform. The people need to learn that patient labor will do wonders. There is much mourning over unproductive soil, when if men would read the Old Testament Scriptures they would see that the Lord knew much better than they in regard to the proper treatment of land. After being cultivated for several years, and giving her treasure to the possession of man, portions of the land should be allowed to rest, and then the crops should be changed." FE 323.

"Thy wrath is come, and the time . . . that thou . . . shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth." Revelation 11:18.