Problem
Farmer MacDonald-The MacDonald family has been ranching for 40 years. Their livelihood is raising cattle. They depend on the aquifer to water their cattle and irrigate their hay fields. They also get their drinking water from the ground water aquifer. Mr./Mrs. Jones-They live on the property adjacent to the MacDonald ranch. Energy for Everyone Corporation estimates that the Joneses could make 10 million dollars in royalties if gas was extracted using hydraulic fracturing on their land. They have three young children. Dr. Miller is an environmental health scientist for the state health department. Ronnie is an environmental regulator for the state Oil and Gas Commission Mr. Smithers is the CEO of Energy for Everyone Corporation, a natural gas drilling company. Billie has been unemployed for four years and was just offered a job in the gas field. Commissioner Sanders is the county commissioner. The county recently had a budget shortfall and will have cut funding to the school district or consider raising taxes. The county could see a windfall in revenue if drilling occurs. Commissioner Sanders lives next to the Joneses and the MacDonald ranch. Commission Sanders has a daughter who suffers from asthma and is sensitive to air pollution.
Biblical Perspective: "Then he said to them, 'Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.'" Luke 12:15 (NIV)
Read Luke Chapter 12 :15-31
How might man be greedy in his dealings with the environment? What is the warning in the passage? How would it apply to us today? How does it apply to our use of energy resources and our sharing those resources with the rest of the world?