Mt. Hope United Methodist Church
| Questions children ask about God, Heaven, and Angels |
IF GOD MADE SPIDERS, WHY
DO PEOPLE SQUISH THEM?
DO PEOPLE SQUISH THEM?
Q:
a:
God created spiders just as he made all the other
animals. But there's a great difference between
animals and human beings. People are created in God's
image and are supposed to take care of all creation
including all animals and plants. God put people in charge
of creation, but this does not mean we can harm and kill
for fun or destroy the world as we please. We can kill
animals and plants for food and to control their population;
we can remove or kill spiders, insects, and so forth that
threaten us or make it difficult for us to live. But we should
be kind to animals when possible and take good care of
the world.
animals. But there's a great difference between
animals and human beings. People are created in God's
image and are supposed to take care of all creation
including all animals and plants. God put people in charge
of creation, but this does not mean we can harm and kill
for fun or destroy the world as we please. We can kill
animals and plants for food and to control their population;
we can remove or kill spiders, insects, and so forth that
threaten us or make it difficult for us to live. But we should
be kind to animals when possible and take good care of
the world.
KEY VERSE: And God blessed them and told them, "Multiply and fill
the earth and subdue it. You are masters of the fish and birds and all the
animals." (Genesis 1:28)
the earth and subdue it. You are masters of the fish and birds and all the
animals." (Genesis 1:28)
RELATED VERSES: Genesis 1:20-25; Proverbs 12:10; Acts 10:9-16
NOTE TO PARENTS: Some children want to hurt animals, while
others want to be compassionate. God's desire is for us to be
compassionate and wise rulers of all animal life (Proverbs 12:10). This
should not be taken to such an extreme that we think eating meat is
wrong. God has provided animals as a source of food and has given us
permission to eat meat (see Acts 10).
others want to be compassionate. God's desire is for us to be
compassionate and wise rulers of all animal life (Proverbs 12:10). This
should not be taken to such an extreme that we think eating meat is
wrong. God has provided animals as a source of food and has given us
permission to eat meat (see Acts 10).