Being Christian and Acting like a Survivalist: The Debate

This day and age, it's wise to have a stockpile of food and other supplies. The Department of Homeland Security recommends having enough food for two weeks for each person in your household. However, how much is too much? Moreover, when does stockpiling food, supplies, and cash conflict with the faith you have in God and all the promises available to His people in the bible? When does stockpiling cross that line?

Some Christians believe survivalists act only out of fear by stockpiling or saving as much as they do. They especially have chided those that build secondary "shelters" or other places of safe haven in their home. Their logic and argument: "God will always take care of us. Why are they so afraid? Besides, other people who don't know Christ will need His comfort and message of salvation during that time. How can they help others if they are cowering in some underground shelter for three weeks or what have you? Those people [those that stockpile] are selfish and acting cowardly for behaving that way."

Personally, that shocked me because the bible also states that a wise man sees trouble coming and prepares for it. Noah prepared an ark with lots of food for his family and all of the animals. Others laughed at him during that time, believing he was crazy, etc... until disaster struck. Men and women of the bible took preparations with them prior to traveling in most cases and there are other scenarios too where people were told to save.

God tell us to not be afraid and yes, He will never leave us nor forsake us. However, it is OK to stockpile and save as long as you have the attitude that disaster might strike when you aren't at home. Then what? Believe God. Act on what you do know to do to survive. If disaster strikes and you're at home, then hopefully you'll have access to your supplies. There is no reason to be afraid. Jesus warned us during His time of the things to come to play in this world. We are not to fear it. Know that stock piling is wise, just don't trust in the stockpile itself to help or save you. Only God does that.

Also, consider the possibility that your stockpile and surplus may not be for you. If you feel led to stock up, then stock up. If not, then don't. Both are OK as long as you have the proper attitude and trust in God. If disaster strikes and you do not live or cannot make it back to your home, understand that God may use your stockpile to help your neighbors or others that do not know Him. Maybe God will use it to help those people stay alive long enough to hear the message of Jesus Christ they will so desperately need.

Friend, if you are on the side that believes stockpiling is cowardly, don't judge your brother or sister that does. Instead, remind them of God's graciousness, mercy, and promises to help keep them in the proper attitude towards God, the supplier rather than the supplies. Let the supply issue go. Friend, if you are on the other side that stockpiles and believes others are unwise for not doing the same, don't judge your brother or sister that doesn't. Instead, rejoice with them knowing that no matter what, God will see you through, keeping your arms, hearts, and resources open to those you have an opportunity to help, believer or not.