“A righteous man regards the life of his animal, but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.” — Proverbs 12:10 I often wonder about how some people treat their animals and what they think is good treatment and a
“A righteous man regards the life of his animal, but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.” — Proverbs 12:10
I often wonder about how some people treat their animals and what they think is good treatment and a good life. Sometimes I think it’s just cruel. God says what a wicked person considers as “tender mercy” towards their pets, is cruelness and I believe He takes that into account as He watches us. After all, God made the animal kingdom as well. I am by far not a tree hugger or an advocate of treating animals like they are humans, dressing them up, sitting them at the table and pretending they are children etc.., but on the other hand as pet owners we do need to care for our pets and understand the value of their life; the value of their life to them and towards us.
This is what a righteous person does, they take into account and regard the life of their animal. We are not to treat them cruelly or abuse them, but rather love and care for them as God would have us do. He is watching over us as we are watching over them.
Yes, we may be the “masters” or “owners” of our pets, but we are called to be good “masters/owners” of them by loving and taking good care of them. Animals, pets, bring so much joy to our life as we bring to them as well when we do take proper care of them and regard their lives as God’s creatures. There is a blessing in that and it works both ways. This is what God says is the right thing to do. Let us regard their lives as God regards ours. — Pastor Tom
• A Proverb a Week with Pastor Tom Iannucci; Breath of Life Kaua‘i; www.breathoflife.org
