The Bible is chockfull of guidance on how we can be better stewards of God’s animal creations.
1. A vegan diet was God’s original design.
“Then God said, ‘I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food.'”
—Genesis 1:29–30
And it was very good!
2. Animals don’t want to die for our dinner. They’d much rather take care of their families.
“[H]ow often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings.”
—Matthew 23:37
Jesus got that.
3. Raising animals for food denies them every God-given desire and behavior, and they’re bred and drugged into Franken-creatures.
It’s like saying to God, “I don’t think you created chickens quite right!”
4. We probably shouldn’t be eating our fellow worshippers.
“Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: ‘To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!'”
—Revelation 5:13–14
5. God’s covenant is with animals, too.
“In that day I will make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field, the birds in the sky and the creatures that move along the ground. Bow and sword and battle I will abolish from the land, so that all may lie down in safety.”
—Hosea 2:18
So, shouldn’t we leave them alone?
6. Instead of abusing animals in horrific ways, let’s show them mercy and compassion.
“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
—Matthew 25:40
You know, let’s love “the least of these.”
