It has always been my belief that "We are Saved by Grace, after we do all that we can, for Ourselves, Our Families, Our Neighbors, Our Community, our Country, and Mankind in General, in that order. If we do NOT do our part, why would we expect Our GOD to do His Part? My Belief, YMMV.....
Then there are those hypothetical questions such as "if you could go back in time, who would you want to meet?" Ben would be on my list right near the top. I have a t-shirt with a quote of his I like, "Beer is proof God loves us and wants us to be happy." AT
Ben would be on my list as well, most of the Founding Fathers, for that matter, Ronald Reagan, the Blue Collar Comedy Tour guys, and Disney(just so I could kick his a$$) just to name a few, but that is for another thread.
Why I can believe there is a Elite conspiracy and a OWG agenda. "The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his anointed…" Psalm 2:2 Why I have a plan for a Bug-in or Bug-out should circumstances so require. "A prudent man forseeth the evil and hideth himself; but the simple pass on and are punished" Prov 22:3 Why I 'prep' and seek to be more self-reliant/less associated with The System. "But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel" 1 Tim 5:8 Imo prepping is very consistent with a Christian worldview because although God is sovereign over all events, His providence to us is mostly through means, which usually involves some greater or lesser application of personal industry.
Don't forget about the story of Joseph in Egypt. He laid up extra supplies during 7 years of bountiful harvest and ended up feeding the whole country AND saving his family during the subsequent 7 years of drought and scarcity. As you mentioned, YD, the scriptures are full of examples where God directed people to prepare and multitudes were saved because of their obedience. I have not studied other religious texts but I would guess that they too admonish their followers to prepare for bad times.
1 Tim 5:8 cited above by Hammerhead-- I especially like that verse, it justifies all I've done within my capabilities without being aware of the verse until now. That includes pointing my kids in the right direction, even if they've chosen to ignore the hints, however forcefully delivered. (They are both in their 40s, so we aren't dealing with grumpy teenagers.) Also an excellent rebuttal to those who seem to think that God will carry them thru. I tend to regard God as a leader, not a pack mule. That said, they can find verses to justify their view. Boils down to interpretation, methinks. Ice, thanks for the Cosby reminder --
ghrit, thank kellory for the Cosby reminder. He started it! I was just letting him know I got the reference..
This thread reminds me of a story I once heard. A man with a family heard there was a possibility a worldwide calamity could occur, and he replied "The Lord will provide." Meanwhile his neighbors planted gardens and started raising chickens. A church friend of his asked "Aren't you concerned about the violent masses in the streets if this calamity occurs?" The family man replied "The Lord will provide." Meanwhile, his neighbors armed themselves and established cooperative defenses. Another friend of his asked "Are you concerned with surviving the cold winters here if the calamity occurs?" Again, the family man replied "The Lord will provide." Meanwhile, his neighbors stored fuel and put up firewood. Finally, the calamity occurred. The man and his family starved, froze and eventually were killed by thieves and rapists. When the man got to heaven, he asked God "Why didn't you provide?" God replied "Look, I provided you plenty of time to prepare, and even provided people suggesting what you should do. You should listen better."
In the middle of a desert.... and don't worry about your Mocking Neighbrs, they will get theirs, soon enough..... ......
I agree,remember proverbs 22:3 A prudent man foresees the difficulties ahead and prepares for them; the simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.
I get my info from the Bible and as I recall it Jesus says not to worry about what you will eat, where you live or what you wear. However he also says to his disciples just before his arrest in Luke 22: 35 - 37 "And he said to them, When I sent you out without purses and without bags and shoes, did you lack anything? They said to him, Not a thing. He said to them, From now on he who has purses, let him take them, and the bag likewise; and he who has no sword, let him sell his robe and buy for himself a sword. For I say to you that what is written must be fulfilled in me, He will be numbered among the wicked; for all the things concerning me must be fulfilled." Jesus was telling them not to worry but to prepare for hard times were to come as the Authorities were not only coming for him but his followers as well. My take is not to obsess in worry but to be as prepared as you can. Trusting God is more than sitting on your hind end.