We can go to the storage of Joseph for a partial answer. He advised Pharaoh to store up grain during the seven years of plenty, to make sure there would be food during the seven years of famine that would come. That was a message to Pharaoh from God himself, given in a dream.

 

We can also look at the parable of the ten virgins. The five foolish are chastised for not saving oil, and the five wise have saved just enough for themselves to last through the extra time. There is a very important message here, but it has been occluded by faulty teaching wherein the oil in the parable is said to be the Holy Spirit. In reality, it is a parable about the end times, and how we are to be prepared for things to go longer than we expected. It is one of the great arguments for my belief that we believers will be here through the great tribulation. (Please refer to my post "deciphering the parable of the ten virgins" for my take on this)

I am not unfamiliar with both of those instances, but I guess, in a way, the first makes a point for me. Although Joseph was given the dream and Pharaoh honored it and complied, no one else made provision. In other words, God made provision for ALL via his instruction to Joseph. Jacob et al didn't set anything aside. The rest of Israel wasn't instructed to prepare ... It was just Joseph / Pharaoh.

 

I have read your exegesis, and several others, and ... like many other Biblical issues, I'm still chewing. I have never been a pre-tribber, but neither do I consider "hoarding" an act of faith. Is it not possible that God will instruct each of us as individuals what He wants us to "store"? I have also long envisioned a kind of barter system being re-instituted within the family of faith that will circumvent the need for a mark.

 

For centuries there have been those who stored up supplies for the Tribulation. I guess my feeling at this point is that we are each accountable to God for what He says to us as individuals. That's where I am right now.

Hmm, I didn't mention hoarding, nor do I believe in hoarding. I spoke of sharing and helping others who were not prepared, as the Lord leads. I also believe in a barter system; you must have goods in order to barter, right? I do believe that God will speak to individuals, as you do. But I try not to judge other believers based on their decision to "hoard" or not - I try to realize that we must be obedient to God and leave the rest to Him, because He may tell us something different for reasons that may or may not become apparent.

I only used the word "hoarding" because for centuries there have been those who believed such ... including, apparently, some of my friends as indicated.  I'm not exactly sure where the line would be between "hoarding" and accumulating for the purpose of sharing, but the man I mentioned with the gas cans and $700 is not a man of faith, but a man of means!  "Hoarding", to me, speaks of an act of selfishness motivated by fear like the bomb shelters of the 60's.  I didn't mean to infer that you promoted hoarding - just meant it as an "extreme" and questionable doctrine like the pre-tribbers.  Sorry, if it sounds otherwise!  As to bartering, there's goods and/or services to be shared, yes ... Again, like most of us, I'm still chewing ... still walking ...

 

What this topic DOES do for me is question how much I have taught my kids on the subject ... I don't know, but it has become a subject of conversation and prayer! 

I know what you mean about it becoming a subject of conversation with my family, and of prayer, always. My daughter's family is going to go in with us on this, and that brings our total up to ten so far. We all have various talents and know-how, and we are gobbling up information so we can deal with that learning curve.

 

I hope we can get going quickly, because I need to use some of what I am learning. It's all just so good! LOL

It's good to be alive!  It's good to have a God whose love envelops us so completely that we can get a glimpse of His heart.  And it's good He loves us and leads us individually!    Thanks for your input &  ... in His time!

I was going to reference the parable of the 10 virgins, but Cathian beat me to it. <smile>

I believe in trusting God, yes, but I do not eschew the means he has given me to prepare for safety and security.  I stock up against hurricanes, have a back-up generator, and gas in cans that we keep in cans "just in case" until winter.  I think of this as good stewardship of my resources.

It'd be, for me, like not buying groceries, but fully expecting God to have manna on the ground for me.  Has he done it? Yes. I believe it to be truth. But should I refuse to buy food for my family and just have faith he'll do it again, when he has given me the means by which to eat via funds for groceries?

Prepare, yes.   Against emergencies, against the future, for a rainy day. Yes. If God has given  you resources, expend them with sense.

But in an emergency, when there has been no time to prepare, when there are no resources at my fingertips, I trust that God has a safe place for me.  And he has made provision for my family, if his plan is for me to leave them.

To me, faith is vital, but so is being sensible.

Thanks  ... this is pretty much my thought as well.

Interesting question.  I remember the days of hiding under a desk in grade school planning for a nuclear attack.  I wasn't particularly afraid of it then, it was a way of life.  I'm not particularly afraid now either.  I know my faith plays a role in that as I do trust that my real life is not just here on earth, I'm not saving for earth but for heaven.  However, I am dilligent to be prepared for life as well.  I always keep my 2nd fridge stocked with bottles of water...(just in case).  I always keep a few hundred bucks in my house (just in case).  I always have basic medical supplies whether I'm camping or at home (just in case).  But that is as far as it goes.  I had a friend once, from Eastern Europe.  He had been there during the transition from Communism to Democracy, and had survived horrible things.  He laughed at our Y2K scare saying...."we've been through so many hard times, and always found a way to make it".  That gave me hope. 

Thanks for your reply.  I guess, as usual, my head is just in anothe place!  hahaha  My MAIN fridge is mostly empty ... let alone back ups!  lol  But God ALWAYS provides one way or another.   

interesting