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.
Carrie,
I appreciate your views, and don’t get me wrong here, I’m absolutely a Christian prepper as well. However, your interpretation of Proverbs 28:19 is a little off. The topic and point of this verse is NOT that we should all work our land (although mini farming is an excellent idea), it is addressing the topic of laziness and misdirection. The verse is advising us not to chase after fool hearty whims and shirk our true responsibilities regardless of what they are. The author has chosen food production as an example because it is seen as a very grounded and necessary duty as opposed to the very much so unnecessary act of chasing fantasies. It’s a metaphor advising us not to waste our time and rather to spend our time on fruitful activities.
A much better Proverb to site for the Christian Prepper is Prov 22:3 which says: “A prudent man foresees the difficulties ahead and prepares for them; the simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.”
Or the words of Jesus Christ himself in Revelation 16:15 in which he says: “Look! I come as a thief! Blessed is he that watcheth and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.”
David, I appreciate your thoughts! I disagree with you a bit because I believe that this verse can be directly applicable to our society today. If we all took the time to learn and grow even a small amount of the food that we consume (and if that isn’t possible, to search out local sources), we reduce our reliance on others and other countries for our basic necessities. I am all for the farmer (if you couldn’t tell from my former handle) but it is our responsibility to take care of ourselves and our families and then to share our bounty with others in their time of need.
Thank you for the additional verses!
Well, interpretation is in the eye of the Beholder. I Prep, I Pray and believe that God has given us the Knowledge to know to Orepare for what we Can. We can Prepare for Everything, but can for most.
You’re both correct in my eyes. ??
In the first century the Christians who fled Jerusalem before the Roman invasion, fled to caves and lived an off grid type of existence. Scriptures are multi faceted, just as a diamond. Each can have many applications intended. I’ve been prepping since I became born again nearly 25 years ago. Once I saw the false flag 9/11 attacks, the lord showed me what was to come. I am a man, so I also follow Paul’s advice. “A man who doesn’t provide for his own family is worse than an infidel, and has denied the faith.”
Food, water, clothing and shelter are the physical provisions I’m responsible to provide, along with spiritual guidance.
We may be provided manna?? I’ve had a prodding in my heart to prepare for many years, and it feels like the Holy Spirit, so we all may be right?? Lol
Great read and thanks for sharing.
??
Chris
This is correct! All point of views are correct. Everything written, happens in three’s. Past, present, as well as future. You both are correct!!
nohomehere ya,ll
farming is the word of import. survival as a christian is a act of god. an “CHRISTIANS” are to obey him . in “spirit” and in “truth”
He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing good with his own hands, that he may have something to share with the one in need
“Now that’s power”
Can this scripture not apply to both views? Often scripture is interpreted differently by individuals according to how the Lord conveys it.
why is it not possible that both are right and GOD has chosen different verses that would speak to both of you on the subject. not to nit pick one another that would be where the devil is .
Thank you for your addition to a great article, David.
David, you are correct, that verse isn’t telling people they have to farm. First off it should be pointed out that farmers don’t farm just for themselves anyway. Farmers take the extra they have and sell it. Of course the hard working farmer will have alot more food than the lazy. The farmer is blessed with the abundance, but so are those that buy and trade with the farmer. Not everyone is a farmer though, and even in biblical times not everyone farmed. People have to remember that first off proverbs are wise sayings, and they aren’t always literal. Secondly all scripture is to be compared to the rest of scripture, which is needed at times to properly understand some verses. The point in this proverb is the same as many other passages of scripture, and that is the lazy will lack while the honest, hardworking person will have. Notice the verse being discussed says the person who works their land will have plenty of food, but the one who doesn’t and is lazy will live in poverty. The one who works their land, which in this verse its implying a farmer, has abundant food, which for the farmer doesn’t just mean they have food to eat, but that they won’t lack because they can make money off what they sell. There are things the farmer has to buy off others that he doesn’t have. The lazy person isn’t being told they will have poverty for not farming, but for not doing at all. There are other scriptures which talk about this same subject but simply state those who work will have and those who don’t will lack. This one just happens to talk about people working the land. Not saying farming Isnt important as everyone depends on farmers. Just that the lesson here is the lazy will know poverty. Those who work hard will have.
The parable was used at that time because it was something the people of that time could relate to.
I just stumbled upon you site, searching for a crock pot yogurt recipe! We’re Christian preppers too; I can’t wait to share your site with others…we’re kind of surrounded by other believers “trusting God” and not doing anything. So some of our prepping will be for them I’m sure. We always say that Noah was the original prepper..and Joseph was the first food hoarder!
Cindy, i agree for many years i have felt in my spirit tor store. I questioned it for a while because I lived in Utah where the Mormons where instructed to store up f on food for two years and questioned in my mind about not relying on God to provide.
I learned how frugal is was to buy in bulk and to share with others out of abundance.
As a child I grew up on a farm/ranch with nine siblings and we were basically self supporting. We had gardens by the acres and spent our summers canning and freezing and selling the overflow. We grew cotton, hay and grains for our herds and flocks and saved our seed.we had outside jobs and sewed and reused and redid everything. 10 children, two parents, two grandparents and often aunts uncles and cousins were fed from our crops. I worry today about the new generation who are just given everything and will need the skills we were taught to thrive. Now the call to prepare is stronger than ever.
Thank you for such a grate topic. I have been searching for scripture to show what I fill God has lead me to do prepare for hard times ahead.
Thanks this was so encouraging, I’m a Christian from South Africa and have no doubt if I should be prepping I have found that a lot has change since I’ve started prepping even my appreciation for what God is providing.
May God Bless you all
Fond regard
Child of God
Amen!
Proverbs Chapter 6
6 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:
7 Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,
8 Provideth her meat in the summer, [and] gathereth her food in the harvest.
9 How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?
10 [Yet] a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:
11 So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.
the bible also says there will be famine ,I have been told I just need to have faith & trust God ,,I do he wants us to be prepared for hard times ,,we can have faith and prepare ,I prepare knowing that I will be helping people who are not ready or could not afford to buy things since there are people who live paycheck to paycheck ,,but God will bless them through others ,,I even buy canned and powder milk and my family doesn’t really like it but if there are babies in need we will help ,,if we do not help others we will not be blessed by God,,so if you are Christian prepper be prepared to give to others not just to save ourselves …noah had faith in God but he was told to be prepared ,I feel God wants us ready spiritually and physically …
This is really good! Thanks for sharing! I like the CJB version of these verses.
Thanks to all for your precious comments…yes I am also a Christian prepper and I have Christian friends who call what I’m trying to do hoarding. We all must be wise and prepare for the unexpected. I remember the story of the five wise virgins and the five unwise virgins. The wise ones were prepared and had extra oil and they told the unwise ..We only have enough for ourselves..”Those will be sad words to share with our Christian friends if we truly dont have enough…lets all do the best we can to educate from Gods word and share when that time comes. God bless all!????
“We only have enough for ourselves” “sad words to share with our Christian friends if we truly don’t have enough”
That is putting yourself before others which is the opposite of love. To much prepping is putting trust in yourself and not in the Lord.
Oil is widely accepted as a symbol of the Holy Spirit.
And we all know what the wedding feast is.
Luke 4:18
18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
The Widow of Zarephath
1 Kings 17
15 And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days. 16 And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Elijah.
When I read the parable of the virgins, what stands out to me most is what constitutes wise versus foolish. It’s their level of preparedness for the wait. The wise virgins brought their lamps and extra oil. The foolish only brought their lamps. Essentially the foolish virgins vastly underestimated the timing of the bridegroom’s arrival and the level of oil they had reflected that.
Do you believe that the “Mark of the Beast” is coming, and you can not buy or sell with out it?
And Jesus says not to take the Mark.
How will you survive if you have not stored up Food, Water, Shelter, etc…? (Prepared)
Omg! Finally! Thank you!
Amen!
My name is Jesse. You are the first person who I have ever heard ask that question. Me and my wife have been looking for other christian who believe what be believe about what you said. Please contact me. I would like to talk to you about this.
The mark of the beast will only be implemented at the 3 1/2 year mark of the tribulation. The bible indicates Christians will be taken in the rapture before that. However, think of your lost friends/ family remaining. Imagine christ raptured us tomorrow … 3 1/2 years from now they would face this decision to take the mark or go underground or die.
Two days ago march 2022 at the one world government summit, it was announced that banks are creating programmable digital currency…. so the parts are moving into place very quickly. If they can program money, they can ‘turn it off’ when the mark is refused.
Proverbs 22:3 A prudent (wise) man hides himself from evil, the simple (ignorant) pass on (just carry on as normal) and are punished (suffer for it). Being ‘wise’ IS operating in faith. If you are doing what you gave been instructed to do – that takes faith! Noah had tremendous faith but boy did he prepare! How long was he building that ark, and virtually alone. We prepare but theres a point where we need the supernatural. It’s not a case of either / or, its both and they are both faith.
Joseph was able to help his brothers because he had stored up grain. Guess some people would have called it hoarding huh? I do not think so. Even rabbits store up food for winter. My Mom taught me how to can many foods and since she fed 7 children, it came to be a money saving idea and was a real helpmate to my dad. He was so proud of her abilities to save money and have delicious food.
The Bible says a lot about seeing the dangers ahead and hiding oneself and preparing. I am urging every born again believer, if you haven’t already started, begin prepping with food, water, first aid kit, and camping equipment and anything you might need for tribulation. Wind-up torches,water purification tablets etc etc. Also- any meds that you have to take, eg: insulin. Most important of all, prepare spiritually, repent from sin, stay in fellowship etc
I just read Matthew 6:25-34 we r not to worry about nothing cuz our heavenly Fatherknows all of our needs. Seek 1st the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall b added to you. Do not worry about tomorrow God will take care of our essentials.
Yes Debra, Matthew 6:25-34 does say that. Those verses are about not WORRYING, but having faith and trusting in God, while we still take steps in the natural. It doesn’t mean we should not have car or life insurance. It doesn’t mean that we should not go to work and earn money for our future, or set money aside for our kids college. It’s just saying don’t worry, and have faith. You can prepare for floods, earthquakes, social unrest, collapse of governments, finances, etc, and still have faith in God to see you through.
After Noah had finally finished preparing for the flood , the bible said Not Noah , but God shut the door , you see God also has warned us like Noah is the scripture of the Holy Bible of his second coming , Like Noah we must prepare . As in the days of Noah so shall the end of this world be for us . Luke 17 : 26 – 30
Matthew 6: 25-34. needs to taking in to thought also to keep things in perspective.
My name is Jesse. You are the first person who I have ever heard ask that question. Me and my wife have been looking for like minded christian who believe what we believe about what you said. Please contact me. I would like to farther discuss this very important topic. Thanks and many the Lord Jesus Christ bless you abundantly.
It’s sad that if God calls all people to stockpile food and supplies for the Tribulation than over 150,000,000 will be out of luck since they do not have the actual land to grow enough food, or store years and years of food.
And I do not see Scripture telling Christians to stock up food into barns or to build bigger barns to house all their stuff.
However, there is a specific passage about a certain rich man that did just that and it went poorly for him.
Also, the church doesn’t go through the Tribulation or the last 3.5 years of the Great Tribulation.
It’s just smart to store non perishable foods in dry storage. It really doesn’t say throw your kids out in the fields and work the land. It’s saying be smart not selfish. Just be prepared in times of trouble. Put away during abundance and then during famine you are not going to go hungry. Just common sense is all.
My question is simple, for those Christians that do not have the ability to prepare for whatever Life Changing Event may take place, will the God of the Christian Bible forsake them, or will the promise Jesus taught in Matthew 6:25-34 hold true? And to clarify I am primarily thinking about Christians that are in prison or the Christians that live in multi-story apartments.
I was searching this very question and now I believe that I understand better. Do not store up out of fear, but as the Holy Spirit guides you. Not only for yourself but for others as well.
Everyone has the opportunity to store up their pantries.Canned goods can be bought on sale and stored as well as many other things. Water should always be available for at least three days. It is just common sense.
Most people do not understand even where their food comes from.
Not prepping is a new thing. The norm historically was to try to have a year’s worth of food by the end of fall. Otherwise you would starve. It’s only our modern grocery stores that allows us the option to NOT prep.
After Noah had finally finished preparing for the flood , the bible said Not Noah , but God shut the door , you see God also has warned us like Noah is the scripture of the Holy Bible of his second coming , Like Noah we must prepare . As in the days of Noah so shall the end of this world be for us . Luke 17 : 26 – 30
I’ve enjoyed reading all of these and think that if you are truly a christian that faith has a great big part of it but you should also be diligent in preparing for your families and there families and there families family. Because a true christian will not be here after the rapture and that is all that will be able to appreciate what you did for them knowing they were not going to be going up with you. Pray for your families to come to God and you will not have to worry about providing for them but yes idol hands are the devil’s work place. So stay true to yourself, God, and the rest will fall in place.
Love that you are searching for biblical support for prepping. And these verses are helpful. However, these verses are mostly about laziness. Prepping is also about “preparation”. Some verses and parables that might be more helpful are DEU 14:28 where it talks about storing 25% of your produce for later. Also the parable of the 10 virgins in MAT 25:1-13.
Super read and lots of great perspective in comments. :) Just my two cents without getting into the scriptural context debate, lol. I think God wants us to not stress about it, but I also think He calls us to be prepared through the means He provided us when he created the World, and to use His Word to be prepared. So much of our society relies solely on farmers on the other side of the country, trucking companies, stores, and restaurants to provide their sustenance. Many these days don’t have the inkling to make a sandwich for themselves over running to the nearest fast food purveyor. Heck, you can have it brought right to you these days!!! We are really use to having things done for us these days, whether we realize it or not.
We already see the effects Covid has had. The prophecy says that drought, famine, etc are coming. The economy is crashing and the modern conveniences we have come to determine are our inheritance will go away. How will you eat if you no stores and no clue how to grow a tomato? We can guess all day how long we will endure the end timed, but bottom line is the Bible says we don’t, and we won’t. Jesus himself does not know when He will return. God feeds the birds of the Earth, but He doesn’t drop the worms into the nest. A healthy balance of being able to enjoy the blessings we have here in our modern day conveniences and hearing what God feels we are responsible for through the word will help us be able to pick up the ball and do what we need to do in order to not intentionally be a burden on others, but able to be a blessing to those who didn’t know yet and turn their eye towards The Lord Jesus. Peace and blessings to everyone!
I love all the thoughts. I toss both ways of thinking myself and have horded twice the wrong way with all spoiling over time.
My thought is this. The entire Bible shows that God saves and supplies. One can prepare, but unless the Lord is in It the builder builds in vain. Am I trying to save myself by prepping food ,yes
Do I think it’s wise? Of course. But can I really save myself . No,that’s for sure
The Lord numbers my days , but said He will provide for each one or is that why we are to ask for our daily bread?
I can convince myself of a lot of things, that would aid my thinking in saving food. ‘like hiding myself from coming trouble’
But have recently learned this verse has to do with salvation. The coming judgement of sinners.
So finally I’d say that anything that’s not done buy faith is sin. And a motivation by fear is not faith it’s sin for sure. That all mostly sounds like not prepping, but I will and try to keep and within faith.
Lord. Help us with these concerns.
Thanks to all that commented, especially reminding me that we are not to fear. In my attempts to prepare, I now realize we are not to fear about anything. I lost sight of that, even though I know what the Bible says. I will ask God to forgive me for fearing. I would appreciate all of you’re prayers. God Bless you all.