A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it.

Proverbs 22:3, NIV(1978)

 

Divide your portions to seven and even to eight, for you do not know what misfortune may occur on the earth.

Ecclesiastes 11:2, NASU

 

David said, "My son Solomon is young and inexperienced, and the house that is to be built for the LORD shall be exceedingly magnificent, famous and glorious throughout all the lands. Therefore, now I will make preparations for it." So David made preparations before his death.

I Chronicles 22:5, NASU

 

When you hear the word, "prepper" what do you think of? For some the word is a derogatory reference to a person who is something of a "kook", for others it has a connotation of someone who has a clear vision of reality so for them it has a complimentary tone. What's more, depending on how one approaches preparations for the future, either the kook or the responsible descriptions can be quite accurate.

 

First, let's look at preparations from the physical perspective. In the Bible we see it commanded during Joseph's time. But it should be understood that Joseph had miraculous information concerning the future given to him directly from God. So, when he advised Pharaoh to spend the seven years of abundance in storing up for the subsequent seven lean years, he did so because he was given that information directly from God. Today if you have someone claiming to get their direction from God through visions or dreams, you should look at their message with extreme suspicion, for the Bible clearly states that the whole will of God had been given during the time the New Testament was written, so modern day prophesies do not appear to be likely.

 

On the other hand, if someone is making physical preparations because of principles contained within Scripture (such as the passage from the Book of Ecclesiastes that is quoted above) then there is nothing wrong with that. In fact anytime proper application can be made from the Word of God, it is to our benefit, not our detriment. Obviously we need to look at the Bible as a whole for a correct overview and context of any subject we are looking at, but having done that, we will find that the Bible has many references to the way we should prudently live in relation to our physical lives,

 

This is the long way around the barn of stating this: We live in a physical world that has physical challenges. Among the physical challenges of our present times are global warfare, local droughts and famines, and a rate of inflation that has skyrocketed prices for everything from fuel and utilities to food and housing. It would therefore seem prudent to recognize these dangers and do something about them. But, what can we do?

 

For one thing, it might be wise to stock up. I have a background that some would consider a bit inconsistent, having preached for over a quarter of a century, but also having a masters degree in finance and economics. I have learned from both professions that preparing for the future is prudent, while failing to prepare may not be the noble sign of faith that some might suppose. Instead, failing to properly prepare in physical matters might actually fall into the category of the simple man described in Proverbs who just keeps on going without being aware of the dangers he should have seen coming.

 

One major caution should be made, however, to those who see the need for physical preparations: If you start to make these preparations for the express purpose of maintaining a life of comfort and ease, you become like the rich man Jesus described who tore down his barns to build bigger ones to store up for himself, and you are missing the point of preparedness. The primary purpose of physical preparations for the servant of God is to ensure that we can continue to serve God to our highest and best purpose.

 

So, from a physical perspective, be prudent. By all means store up goods if you are doing so to be a better servant. Don't buy things you cannot afford if you do not absolutely need them. Get out of debt as soon as you can. Set aside some cash for a rainy day. All of these things (and anything else that could reasonably be considered giving your portions to seven or even eight) are things that the prudent servant of can reasonably be expected to do.

 

But, the most important type of preparation is to make sure that your spiritual house is in order. Are you saved? Are you sure? One of the things that has concerned me the most about the "prepping" community is how often they focus on the physical preparations, but give all things spiritual a back seat. This type of mindset is backwards, as was so beautifully pointed out by Jesus when He asked, "what shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or, what can a man give in exchange for his soul?" It seems that many people who have prudence in physical matters are nothing short of foolish when it comes to the most important area of preparation.

 

Take a moment and consider how many of Jesus' sermons and parables were about our being prepared for the kingdom of God, with each reference to the kingdom pointing out that the wise would be prepared spiritually, while the fool would not - often because they were too focused on their physical lives. I love the passage above concerning King David's preparations for the future generations. When he looked forward to the temple that his son Solomon would be constructing for God, David helped with those preparations. He did so because he knew that his son was still young and inexperienced. Are we doing the same for our children? It's a fair question to ask because, in the end, it is the condition of a person's spiritual house, not physical, that will determine whether or not we are saved. It will still be by the grace of God, we know that, but we also know from the Holy Scriptures that we have our part to do.

 

So, prep away for the physical, you would be imprudent indeed if you did not. But make sure you are seeking first the Kingdom of God by preparing your immortal soul for the eternal service that God has planned for you, or you will find that your physical preparations were for naught. We are here to serve God! Part of that service will require a wise handling of our physical goods, but the main focus must be that we are taking thought to the physical aspects of life in order that we might better serve God for all eternity.

 

Are you a prepper?