Pets vs. People

In one of his YouTube videos, conservative radio talk show host Dennis Prager asked, “If you saw your dog and a stranger drowning, which would you save first?” In surveys he’s done with students, two-thirds have voted against the stranger. British evangelist Leonard Ravenhill stated, “Today’s Christians spend more money on dog food than missions.” One study determined Christians spend twenty times more money on Halloween costumes for their pets than preaching the gospel in unreached areas. That demonstrates how some believers value their pets more than men's souls. Jesus said in Matthew 6:21, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

I know how painful it is to lose a pet. As a boy, I wept heavily after the family cat got hit by a car and died. While some believe their deceased pets are in heaven, they don’t need to be redeemed. Jesus came to bring salvation to humans, not animals. It should also be pointed out God Himself said that man was alone until He created a helpmate for Adam (Genesis 2:18). Animals were created before man but not in God’s image.


I’ve seen bumper stickers that say, “My kids have four paws.” It’s okay to love your pets. Just make sure you don’t value them more than people.


“Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” - Matthew 10:31


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