Exactly three years ago this week, the Covid19 pandemic caused economic loss, social disruption, and personal upheaval on a massive global scale that most people didn’t see coming. Cultural strife, racial tension, and burning inner cities only compounded people’s angst. Here we are several years later, and although the immediate concerns about pandemics and social unrest have subsided, they have been replaced by the very real prospect of domestic or global financial collapse and even the threat of nuclear war. In light of the unprecedented days we live in and considering the multiple threats we face collectively and personally, let’s find biblical answers to the questions surrounding Christians and preparedness. Proverbs 22:3
I’m not a survivalist or a doomsday prepper, just a preacher who thinks the Bible has answers to life’s toughest questions. Far from being esoteric, the Bible has much to say about the practical everyday realities of life, including the mounting crises we are all facing. Preparedness has gotten a bad rap lately, mainly because of extreme examples of it portrayed in the media. The same could be said for some people who call themselves Christians. There are false teachers and numerous scandals that the secular media focuses on, but that doesn’t make me want to disassociate from other Christians. There have always been tares among the wheat, just as there are pragmatic people among alarmists. I don’t consider myself a prepper, but a person who looks at the realities we face through the lens of scripture and reacts accordingly. I don’t see living the Christian life and being prepared as mutually exclusive.
It would be easy to see the threats we face and run for the hills. Fear and worry about mounting geopolitical crises and economic woes may compel people to consider living off the grid in some remote location in Montana or somewhere like that. Whether that’s realistic for some or not isn’t the issue because most of us are tied to a specific location in a nine-to-five with kids in school, a mortgage, and people who depend on us. With the realities of daily life in mind, how do Christians biblically prepare for the perilous days ahead and do it in a way that requires total dependence on the Lord? The Bible has answers to this timely question, and Jesus reminds us about our security in the Father. Matthew 6:25
Jesus tells us not to worry about things like food, clothing, shelter, etc. Far from being impractical and throwing caution to the wind, He reminds us that God cares for His people. If the Father cares for the birds of the air and flowers, how much more valuable are we as His image-bearers? God’s care for us is immense and unending. Knowing this, Jesus commands us to seek God’s kingdom and righteousness first and not worry about tomorrow. Matthew 6:33-34 You may wonder how to reconcile the command not to worry with other verses indicating we should be prepared. The answer is understanding that all scripture is God-breathed and doesn’t contradict itself. Worry carries with it a lack of trust in God, while being prepared and watchful denotes an utter dependence on His word and its instruction on how to live. Philippians 4:6
The Bible is replete with examples of being prepared. In Genesis 41:47-48, Joseph stored the bountiful harvests of grain in times of plenty, understanding that famine could ensue in the years ahead. Proverbs 28:19-20 tells us to work for our food and not to chase fantasies. Instead of thinking things will continue as they always have, we should be working to have food and prepare for lean times ahead, as even the animals do in Proverbs 6:6-8 The Bible mentions an excellent woman who fears the Lord. She has prepared her household with food, clothes, and blankets for the future. She’s commended because she fears and trusts in the Lord and doesn’t worry about the days ahead. Moreover, she doesn’t hoard the provisions she has prepared but instead opens her hands and is generous to the needy. Proverbs 31:10-31 describe a person who uses God-given wisdom to prepare and is completely dependent and trusting in Him for the outcome.
There are extremes in every aspect of living. This includes the polar opposites of apathetic laziness when it comes to being prepared versus hoarding and buying tons of freeze-dried food for the Tribulation because of the sensationalism from a few people with questionable motives. As we’ve seen, the Bible gives us clear instructions on living a life of complete trust in the Lord and being a wise steward for the future. In light of what we’ve covered, it’s clear that we should prepare for whatever the days ahead may bring. Matthew 6:19-20
I’m not endorsing a survivalist mentality at all, nor am I endorsing an attitude of denial. We can see uncertain times and danger ahead and prepare accordingly. Even the US. Department of Homeland Security instructs citizens to plan on going it alone for the first seventy-two hours after a disaster. In light of Covid19, economic turmoil, wars, and rumors of wars, I think three days of provisions is a bit short-sighted. Only you can determine what amount of preparedness is right for your situation. As believers, our trust is in the Lord. It’s one thing to have provisions for a few weeks or a couple of months, but when that turns into a bunker mentality with years of food, one has to wonder where the trust and dependence in the Lord are. At the end of the day, the motive for Christians is the care for our families and others less fortunate, and what brings glory to God by trusting in Him to supply all of our needs. Philippians 4:11-13
One aspect of prepping is infinitely more important than anything else, and it’s the matter of being prepared for eternity. Even if the worst-case scenarios unfold geopolitically, we may only deal with privation for a few years or so. If a person dies without coming to repentance and saving faith in Jesus, the earthly days of scarcity will pale in comparison to the unending years of torment because they failed to prepare their soul for eternity. 2 Peter 3:9 Christian friend, be a wise steward and prepare for the perilous times ahead. Most importantly, love the way Jesus did by sharing the gospel with lost people so they are prepared for eternity. There isn’t a moment to waste. Matthew 24:44-46
A Christ-honoring fellow Bible teacher does an excellent job of describing how Christians should view preparing for uncertain times ahead. In 2012, Jack Kelly of Grace Thru Faith wrote an article about the subject of prepping and how Christians should trust the Lord. This dear brother published over 9,000 Bible Study resources here from 1999 until the Lord called him home in the fall of 2015. Click on his name to follow the link to the article.
All for Him,
Howard
