(Guestpost by Drew)
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Shortly afterward, he commanded mankind to “fill the earth, and subdue it.” Many people forget about this initial command, but God’s words actually have far-reaching implications for society today.
Ancient societies fulfilled the command primarily through agriculture. Agriculture makes use of the earth. Agriculture subdues the ground for productive purposes. Failure to work the land, in contrast, allows the weeds and wild animals to overrun humanity. It allows the earth to conquer you. Poverty is the divine punishment for failure to work the land.
I am not suggesting that everyone become a farmer. Farming is only one type of planetary conquest. In fact, any type of useful occupation actually serves to conquer the earth. Any business makes use of some land. Furthermore, even the organizations that directly utilize only small amounts of land (e.g., a police department, church, or car factory) provide services for other people who directly subdue the earth (e.g., lumberjack, miner). If you are earning money, you are conquering the land.
But what happens if you refuse to work? You are a leech on society. You have ignored the divine command, and other people should only support you to the extent that you are 1) willing to work or 2) physically incapable of working.
What happens if, instead of subduing the earth, you begin to worship the environment? You show disdain for God. What happens if you tax citizens’ productivity for the purpose of preventing fictional environmental problems? God will hold you accountable for violating his admonitions. If you want to restrict the conquest of the earth, you must have a good reason for it.
Long-term economic considerations would be a good reason. For example, God told the ancient Israelites to refrain from working any plot of land for more than six years in a row. This restriction allowed the land to stay productive long-term without losing its fertility.
What would be a bad reason to restrict planetary subjugation? Fake environmental apocalyptic propaganda, like global warming. Oh I’m sorry; I mean “climate change.”
Good post.