We are sometimes cautioned in church that we ought not to worry about tomorrow, that sleepless nights are evidence of weak faith. While we are to cast our burdens upon Him and walk in faith, that is not the same thing as apathy or laziness.
I have heard other Christians say that any form of “prepping” would fall into the same category- if we store up food in this time of plenty or prepare for the possibility of job loss, that we have a lack of faith in God as our Provider.
But that just isn’t Biblically sound.
A Biblical Precedent
In Genesis 41, we read the story of how Joseph was prompted by God through pharaoh’s dream to store up grain prior to a famine. The people lived in very bountiful times, so it must have seemed foolish to work so hard to plant, harvest, and store for a famine that may come in seven years. Hard times seven years off! But those bad years came and all the years of prosperity and ease were forgotten.
In Matthew chapter 25, Jesus told a parable about 10 women who were waiting for a wedding to begin. Five of them wisely brought along extra oil for the lamps they were carrying. The other five gave no thought to the possibility that the party wouldn’t begin just as planned. They were left out in the night when they belatedly decided to search for what they needed.
How Long Will The Party Last?
I’m afraid we, as a society, expect the party to keep going without any forethought or effort on our parts. Life is good now- why should I be concerned about tomorrow?
Few American citizens today have ever experienced serious hard times or adversity. We live in the present, we “treat” ourselves and our children to things as a rule not an exception, and we expect to keep doing so without any planning or sacrificing on our parts.
Does this mean God is not providing? Not at all. He planted the seed in your mind through some item in the news or friend of yours. He caused you to question whether all the slick Washington-speak about our economic recovery is true since it sure doesn’t show. And it’s probably not just by happenstance that you stumbled upon this post.
A Return Of Work Ethics
But you’ve got to do your part. God did not promise an easy life for His children. There are no guarantees that your company won’t go bankrupt, that a major natural disaster won’t strike your region, or that a solar flare (CME) won’t melt our delicate electronics.
The time has come to change our thinking and to return to the work ethic of our grandparents. It is not only unwise to assume that the government can and will take care of its citizens in all circumstances, we are told not to expect handouts. In 2 Thessalonians 3:10 it says “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.”
I know that I would rather work hard now and be in a position where I have enough to give as charity to the truly needy (another Biblical mandate) than to look at my family with regret about the opportunity wasted.
PreppingToSurvive.com 
April 19, 2011 at 9:05 pm
Great article.
It reminds me of a quote by a chaplain who survived the Normandy landing of WW2 regarding the foxhole that he dug on D-Day:
“I dug like it was only up to me. I prayed like it was only up to God. Together, we dug that hole pretty deep.”
May 11, 2011 at 1:41 pm
I really like this article. Great job.
May 11, 2011 at 9:37 pm
Thanks for the encouragement. I’ve enjoyed your site.