27 Zimbabweans survivors, even under harsh economic conditions. This is a value we must continue to cherish in the Zimbabwe we want. Our resourcefulness must lead us both to produce raw materials, and also to turn those raw materials into finished products. Our economy is currently suffering in part because we export raw materials at the price determined by the industrialized nations, and then import finished products at a very high cost, also determined by those same nations which are enriching themselves on the basis of our raw materials. A true spirit of industry must make us like the ant that Solomon talked about. Like Jesus we need to glorify God by completing the work he has given us to do for the benefit of our nation and its future. Our stewardship therefore embraces the following imperatives: • We care for creation as a God-given responsibility, but the love of neighbour as a being with an eternal destiny, is a still higher demand. We should protect the sanctity of human life from conception to natural death, taking all possible steps to see that each person’s basic needs are met. • As wise stewards, we must refine our knowledge of God’s world through the natural sciences, environmental ethics, and a vision of sustainability. • Ecology and economics must go hand in hand. Sound environmental stewardship is the link between the two. Greater prosperity generally correlates with greater concern for dealing with environmental questions. • Legislation and resources must be provided for the protection of our environment against evils like unregulated gold panning, deforestation, atmospheric pollution, soil erosion, uncontrolled wild fires, siltation of rivers, poaching of wild animals and other environmental concerns. 3.2.13 Justice and the rule of law “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God”. These resounding words from Micah 6:8 show that justice is high up on God’s agenda for his people. They were addressed to the people of Judah, where greed (3:1-4), dishonesty (6:10-11) and corruption (7:2-4) were the order of the day. It was a situation where the poor ended up being exploited by the rich and the powerful. So God demands that justice should be done. It is a demand echoed by all preexilic prophets – Amos in particular. But what does justice mean? The justice that the prophets demanded is not abstract; it is very practical, down-to-earth actions which take place to ensure that the weak are protected from abuse, that the poor have what they need, and that the socially disadvantaged are cared for. It means giving to everyone what God has intended for them regardless of gender, status or any other distinction. In this regard the history of Zimbabwe has been characterized by injustice. Colonialism involved land being taken from our forefathers, and Zimbabweans