Prepare pt4

Dear beloved: How do we best prepare for the breakdown and tribulation of the coming days? Is it best for us to head for the mountains and hide ourselves and our families in a cave, or do we just blow off all preparation and trust in the Lord day by day? I believe it is important to prepare in the physical realm to the best extent that we can, but ultimately our hope and trust must be in the Lord and not in our ability to manage our surroundings and circumstances. In Matthew 24:44 Jesus says concerning the coming of the Son of Man, "Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know what day your Lord is coming." And again in Matthew 25:13 in the parable of the ten virgins, Jesus says, "Be on the alert, for you do not know the day or the hour." And back again in Matthew 24, concerning the coming birth pangs and lawlessness and tribulation, Jesus says in verse 13, "And he who endures to the end shall be saved." All of these scriptures speak of being ready spiritually more than physically, for without spiritual readiness the physical will not be of much value. If you have a bunker full of food and your body is well fed but your soul is not right with the Lord, what have you gained? Mark 8:36 "For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? v37 For what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? v38 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His father with the holy angels."

So what then is the purpose for storing up and being prepared in the physical realm? Proverbs 11:24 gives us the answer to that, There is one who scatters, yet increases all the more. And there is one who withholds what is justly due, but it results only in want. v25 The generous man will be prosperous, and he who waters will himself be watered. v26 He who withholds grain, the people will curse him, but blessing will be on the head of him who sells it. v28 He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like the green leaf. So it is clear from these verses and many more that we are to prepare primarily to take care of our families, and then to share with those who do not have, because in so sharing we may be a blessing to others and even lead some into the kingdom of God because of our acts of kindness. When we give to the poor and the needy if we have excess, or even if we divide what we have when we have barely enough, then we are giving to the least of these of Mine, as Jesus explained in Matthew 25:36. In giving to the least of these, those without clothing or shelter or a home, or food of water, or those sick or in prison, we are actually ministering to Jesus! So give freely and do not hold back, and you will be blessed. So to sum it up, storing up is not for hoarding and self preservation, but it is for furthering the gospel. Just remember if you have plenty, some day you may be that person who is in need. How would you want someone to treat you? God bless you this day as you walk with the Lord. In Christ, Jim