Is stockpiling something Christians should do? Should Christians stockpile food and other supplies in case of future disaster?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Stockpiling for catastrophes is something the Bible neither commands nor condemns. In the Old Testament, we find a wise perspective on the matter of stockpiling. While practically preparing for the future is beneficial, what concerns the Lord is preparing our heart for the future. In Proverbs 3:5-6 we are instructed to put our trust in the Lord rather than to lean on our own understanding. In the end, both those who prepare for disasters and those who don’t will depart from this life (Ecclesiastes 2:16). What matters most isn’t preserving our earthly lives but receiving eternal life through Jesus Christ (John 3:16). Jesus instructed His disciples to sometimes come prepared and at other times bring only themselves (Luke 9:3; 10:1-4; Luke 22:36) yet what we must remember is that Christians need not fear the future judgment of God toward those who are not His children (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). Regardless of whether we do or don’t stockpile/prepare, our focus for the future should be on our relationship to Christ over our survival in this brief life (Luke 12:16-21; 1 Timothy 6:17).

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• We should invite God to examine our motives behind stockpiling. Psalm 139:23-24 says: “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” We should ask God to search our hearts and redirect us if our intentions behind stockpiling are in any way sinful—such as putting our trust in our own wisdom or provision rather than in God’s.
• Proverbs 3:5-6 says: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.” Christians should put their trust in the Lord in all matters of life, including their physical safety.
• The author of Ecclesiastes communicates that life is brief and worthless without God, advising us to focus on an eternal God instead of prioritizing worldly things. Ultimately, both the supposedly “wise” preppers and the “foolish” non-preppers will meet the same fate: “For of the wise as of the fool there is no enduring remembrance, seeing that in the days to come all will have been long forgotten. How the wise dies just like the fool!” (Ecclesiastes 2:16).

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Through looking at some examples in the book of Luke, choosing to prepare ahead for life’s unexpected disasters or not seems to be a matter of personal preference rather than a Biblical command. For instance, while at times Jesus sends out His followers with no supplies (Luke 9:3; 10:1-4), at other times He commands them to leave prepared (Luke 22:36).
• Regardless of the situation, we should ultimately trust in the Lord, not our human provisions or wisdom. A powerful example is found in Luke 12:16-21, in which a rich, yet ultimately foolish man decides to build bigger barns in which to store his abundance of crops. Although his decision to invest in bigger barns is not evil, his covetousness is evil and his dependence upon his own wealth is foolish. At the end of the parable, the rich man dies the very night that he decides to build his barns.
• Spiritually speaking, what is most concerning about an emergency situation is dying without knowing Christ. If we truly want to be prepared for the worst, we will receive salvation in Jesus Christ (John 3:16).
• Contrary to some popular beliefs, Christians do not need to stockpile goods in order to survive the tribulation period discussed in Revelation. We believe that when the rapture takes place, it will be before the tribulation. Christians will escape this period of judgment (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).
• We must avoid letting anything—including stockpiling—deter us from investing in our relationship with the Lord. We who live in the United States may have the resources to stockpile, but we should use discernment if this is where our time, money, resources, and attention should be directed: “As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy” (1 Timothy 6:17).

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

The prepper or preparedness movement has grown rapidly in recent years as people have grown more concerned about war, terrorism, and natural disasters. A Biblical approach to stockpiling is to assess one's attitude toward the matter. If a Christian is making plans in case of an emergency they have the freedom to do so (1 Corinthians 10:23), they should just make sure they are putting their trust in God as opposed to themselves (1 Corinthians 10:23; 1 Timothy 6:17; Proverbs 3:5-6). Even with the best preparation, there are many things out of our control. We can be wise without becoming wise in our own eyes or relying on our own strength. God is ultimately omniscient: “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps” (Proverbs 16:9). As we seek His wisdom (James 1:5), we can make plans concerning future scenarios while also depending on His strength to meet our needs. Our greatest preparedness must be grounded in our relationship with God.

UNDERSTAND

• God calls us to trust in Him for the future.
• Sometimes God calls us to prepare and sometimes He calls us to go out in faith.
• We can use wisdom to prepare for the future.

REFLECT

• How can you prepare for the future while trusting in God instead of your own efforts to protect yourself?
• How could preparing for the future strengthen your faith rather than fuel your fear for the future?
• What does it mean for you to balance wise planning with trusting that God holds your future?

ENGAGE

• How can we support others to prepare for the future without letting fear control us?
• How can we help others who might be less prepared during a time of need, while also helping them depend on God to provide?
• How can we encourage one another to trust in God’s provision, especially when circumstances seem uncertain?