In our world today, most worldwide financial predictions for/towards the near future seem to always anticipate something between gloomy days and absolute disaster. Some experts constantly advice citizens to stockpile food, clothing, gold, weapons, ammunition etc.
Then the questions arise, how should Christians think about or react to such predictions? How should we prepare for the future? Are you ready to face social and financial difficulties which are so widely anticipated by this so called experts? The Lord Jesus spoke of this topic and seemed to totally dismiss it as unworthy of God's children, but was that really what He meant? comparing the warnings and advise of financial experts with the words of Jesus.
"Worldwide financial gloom and disaster. Stockpile food, clothing, gold, weapons and ammunition, etc."
- "This is why I tell you: Don't worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Isn't life more than food and the body more than clothing?( Matthew 6:25, HCSB)
- "Therefore don't worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."( Matthew 6:34, HCSB)
- "Don't collect for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But collect for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves don't break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." ( Matthew 6:19-21, HCSB)
- "Look, I'm sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as serpents and as harmless as doves." (Matthew 10:16, HCSB)
- Then He said to them, "But now, whoever has a money-bag should take it, and also a traveling bag. And whoever doesn't have a sword should sell his robe and buy one." (Luke 22:36, HCSB)
- "Give to everyone who asks you, and from one who takes your things, don't ask for them back." (Matthew 5:42 & Luke 6:30, HCSB)
- "Give us today our daily bread, not bring us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one." (Matthew 6:9,13, HCSB)
To a casual reader, it may appear that our Lord is giving us conflicting advice. He seems to tell us to just live one day at a time and give future needs no thought. Then he seems to say that we should be shrewd, and prepare to defend ourselves. Is it wrong for a Christian to lay aside something for a "rainy day"? What is the full scope of His meaning? How is the believer to prepare for tough days which may lie ahead?
Three things a Christian Can Do is
- Make wise and careful preparations, but not to become obsessed with them.
- Such preparations should include reasonable arrangements for self defense. It also seems clear that the believer should never confuse self defense or defense of loved ones with defending "stuff".
- The best and most reliable preparations are mental and spiritual. Such readiness will enable you to make wise choices, and to handle "the little things" as they come.
Every believer should take the Lord's words seriously, but we must consider them in full context. Whatever the future may hold, you'll never go wrong by studying the Bible, asking God for direction through prayer during your daily devotions, waiting patiently for His answer, and obeying His leading