7 BIBLE VERSES ABOUT THE PREPAREDNESS MOVEMENT

 

There’s a lot of argument and controversy when it comes to using Biblical scripture to justify the preparedness movement. One side argues that preparedness is clearly directed in the Bible. Others say that by preparing, we aren’t trusting in the Lord to provide for our needs.

As for me, I’m not convinced that either side is right, in fact please take a look at a previous article Survive The End Days : But the one who endures to the end will be saved (Matthew 24:13). I believe that we are charged with taking care of our family, and that is the approach I take to preparing. I believe that simple preparing and planning will help minimize impacts on my family during leaner times (we have them each year based on the ebb and flow of work) and also keeps us focused on what’s important to us.

I do find so much wisdom to be gleaned from the Scripture, however, and some verses speak more to me regarding prepping than others. I thought I’d share a few of my favorite verses with you here today.

Those who work their land will have abundant food but those who chase fantasies will have their fill of poverty.
Proverbs 28:19

The directive behind this is simple. You should work your land to raise your own food. Our society has gotten so far away from simple, basic meals that many don’t even know how to prepare something as simple as a pot of dried beans! Our demand for “easy and now” has led our society down a treacherous path. It is time for our country to return to our roots.  Teach our children how to grow and then preserve their own food, to “make do” and to save their money so that they aren’t shackled by debt.

The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down.
Proverbs 21:20

Store up the choice food so that you will not be hungry when that choice food is gone. Canning, freezing, drying food… forms of all of these have been around since Biblical times for a reason. I can’t image having to tell my hungry and crying child that there is no more food for them.  I never, ever want to be in that place nor do I want any of my family members, friends or neighbors to experience that.  It’s why I prepare.

 

The Parable of the Rich Fool:

“And He told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’

Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”

But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’

This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”
Luke 12: 13-21

Oh, don’t we ever learn! “…Life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” I do not believe that we are directed to store up years and years worth of food with this passage. I do believe that we are meant to prepare for the hard times as best we can so that we can feed our families and take care of them and then share with those who did not heed the Lord’s warning. Americans waste so much money on non-essentials and we are a “throw it away” society.  It’s time to put the value back into our dollar with our purchases.

Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
1Timothy 5:8

From a preparedness point of view, God specifically instructs us to provide for our family and relatives in 1st Timothy. It is our job not only to prepare with sustenance and shelter but also with knowledge. Younger generations need to be taught how to take care of themselves, live simply, and to grow their own food and store it. And then, taking this a step further, we are charged with nurturing their relationship with our Father.

The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.
Proverbs 22:3

For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.”The writing is on the wall. It is time for all of us to become more focused on preparing our families for leaner times, providing for ourselves and learning to live within our means. Ignoring the warnings will make our struggles more difficult.

2 Thessalonians 3:10

I’m not really sure what else I can say, this scripture is pretty self-explanatory. if you don’t work and you are able, you don’t deserve to eat.  You will reap what you sow.

Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth.
Proverbs 10:4

I don’t believe the wealth mentioned here is monetary. I believe it is a blessed life full of the provisions you need, the family you love, the relationship you nurture with our Father in Heaven. Lazy hands and idleness will lead to hunger, more struggles and hardships that can be avoided through diligent work and faithfulness.

What do you think? Do you have specific passage that you use as a Biblical basis for prepping? Or do you think that prepping and the Bible are completely unrelated? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

 

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By Carrie Foster, Mom Prepares