Why doesn’t God make animals go to heaven? — Cliff of Lincoln, Nebraska

Dear Cliff,

Animals are different from people. God made people in a special way. They have souls that live even after their bodies die. Animals do not have souls. That’s the big difference between animals and people. So, heaven is a place for people who have obeyed God.

But, Cliff, animals are important to God. Jesus said that God cares when sparrows fall to the ground (read Matthew 10:29). Sparrows are little birds that people didn’t value very much. When Jesus lived, five sparrows cost very little money (Luke 12:6). Though sparrows weren’t important to people, Jesus said God took care of them and noticed when one died. It’s sad when animals die, especially if they are pets. But it helps to know that God cares when they die. And, if God cares for sparrows and other animals, He certainly cares for people, like you!