Intro

This week we continue with our “Swords in the Garden” series where we tackle some rather thorny topics and do some soul-and-Scripture searching to determine whether we are relying on our power, or on God’s.

Our next topic is: Should Christians “doomsday prep”?  This week we examine the Scriptures commonly used to support “prepping” activities, and next week we will look at evidence to support the opposing viewpoint.

Scripture

First we will review the passages quoted most often by those that believe prepping is a biblical activity, beginning with 1 Timothy 5:8, seen below in context:

3 Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need. 4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God.5 The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and to ask God for help. 6 But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives. 7 Give the people these instructions, so that no one may be open to blame.8 Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

And Ecclesiastes 11:1-6:

1 Ship your grain across the sea; after many days you may receive a return.2 Invest in seven ventures, yes, in eight; you do not know what disaster may come upon the land.3 If clouds are full of water, they pour rain on the earth. Whether a tree falls to the south or to the north,    in the place where it falls, there it will lie.4 Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap.5 As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things.6 Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let your hands not be idle ,for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well.

Proverbs 6:6-11:

6 Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!
7 It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, 8 yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.9 How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep?10 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest—11 and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.

Noah preparing for the flood in Genesis 6:20-21:

20 Two of every kind of bird, of every kind of animal and of every kind of creature that moves along the ground will come to you to be kept alive. 21 You are to take every kind of food that is to be eaten and store it away as food for you and for them.”

And of course the story of Joseph in Egypt found in Genesis 41:46-49:

46 Joseph was thirty years old when he entered the service of Pharaoh King of Egypt. And Joseph went out from Pharaoh’s presence and traveled throughout Egypt. 47 During the seven years of abundance the land produced plentifully. 48 Joseph collected all the food produced in those seven years of abundance in Egypt and stored it in the cities. In each city he put the food grown in the fields surrounding it. 49 Joseph stored up huge quantities of grain, like the sand of the sea; it was so much that he stopped keeping records because it was beyond measure.

Commentary

The passages from Genesis are obviously the most compelling here, since they show God specifically instructing man to prepare in advance for natural disasters- and in particular to gather and store foods.

The rest of the verses are more problematic.  The remaining Old Testament verses seem to deal more with the prudence of diversification, and the virtue of work over idleness.  1 Timothy 5:8 seems to be the most often-quoted New Testament verse in regards to preparedness; however, when read in context we see that there are multiple messages in the verse.  First, it suggests that the Church should assist in providing for those in need.  Second, it admonishes Christians to demonstrate their love by first looking after their own families.  Third, it suggests widows that find themselves destitute should turn to God- praying day and night for help. Finally, it reiterates the importance of providing for one’s own household.  Taking verse 8 out of context muddies the waters, as the passage clearly refers to what should be the responsibility of the Church in regards to charity, and what should be the responsibility of Christian family members.  Note that there is no mention of catastrophe, or of stockpiling for future needs.

So the verses we have examined advocate hard work over idleness and diversification over concentration in regards to our worldly assets.  They also admonish us to demonstrate faithfulness by looking after our own families, and to pray in times of need.   Finally, we have evidence that God has instructed His people to prepare for disasters in the past.  Next week we will look at some more Scripture, and then discuss what this may all mean for us in our modern times.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts, please share.

Be blessed.

K