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When I study what the Bible says about self defense, gun ownership and even prepping, I am always drawn to 1 Timothy 5:8.
“But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.”
There can be no question about it: You are commanded to feed your family, to keep them safe and warm and protected come what may. Men must rise to this challenge and assume this mantle as both the secular and spiritual leaders of their households, or they are “worse than an infidel.”
We as Christians are also called upon to have faith in God to provide for our needs. It has been my experience that He always does, but that there is always the need for me to do my part in exercising the gifts and abilities that I have been blessed with to see this provision come to full fruition. In these matters I have full faith in God’s providence, and I try to further His glory in all the work that I do by using His gifts to the fullest. He has given me all that I need, if I choose to use it.
If it were sinful and lacking in faith to prepare, rather than to just await God’s provision, then it would stand to reason that holding a job, buying groceries, and all other mundane tasks that we perform in the maintenance of ourselves and our families would also be sinful and indicative of a lack of faith. Consider 2 Thessalonians 3:9-11:
“Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an example unto you to follow us. For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.”
There are plenty of passages in the Bible that implore us to prepare for the unexpected, for without preparation how could we grant provision to our families in bad times?
“Divide your portion to seven, or even to eight, for you do not know what misfortune may occur on the earth.” Ecclesiastes 11:2
And what of the ant, one of nature’s own preppers, and an example provided to us by God?
“Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.” Proverbs 6:6-9
Genesis provides a slew of passages that can be read to mandate preparedness.
“And take thou unto thee of all food that is eaten, and thou shalt gather it to thee; and it shall be for food for thee, and for them.” Genesis 6:21
“Let Pharaoh take action to appoint overseers in charge of the land, and let him exact a fifth of the produce of the land of Egypt in the seven years of abundance. Then let them gather all the food of these good years that are coming, and store up the grain for food in the cities under Pharaoh’s authority, and let them guard it. Let the food become as a reserve for the land for the seven years of famine which will occur in the land of Egypt, so that the land will not perish during the famine.” Genesis 41:34-36
In these passages the people were encouraged to gather food, or in our case “preps,” to sustain them through hard times. There is no sin in this, as it is still God’s hand that has provided the means and the materials that we gather, and it is an extension of our mandate to be good stewards that we should manage our resources in a manner that makes them available to us in a crisis or when times just aren’t quite as good.
In Proverbs, we learn a bit about wisdom and prudence, in terms of dealing with potential future threats.
“A wise man thinks ahead; a fool doesn’t, and even brags about it!” Proverbs 13:16
“The prudent sees the evil and hides himself, but the naive go on, and are punished for it.” Proverbs 22:3
Clearly, wisdom and prudence are seen as admirable traits. The exercise of your God-given wisdom and prudence does not indicate a lack of faith, but rather a show of faith in the tools that God has provided you with.
It is important to remember that in prepping, as in all aspects of life, our goal should be for our endeavors to be as a glory unto God. We should not prep just to ensure our own physical survival, but so that we can further the Lord’s work in bad times, so that we can help others along the way. If there is rebuilding to do, do it! But do it as a tribute unto Him; perhaps a crisis is not only a crisis, but is an opportunity to guide the world back onto a righteous path by our works and by our example.
In prepping, we are not lacking in faith, but we are keeping the faith. We are being stewards of God’s resources, and we are making provision for our households, our neighbors, and our communities.
Do you agree? Let us know in the comments section below.
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