Are You a Survivalist?

Almost everyone is to some extent a survivalist. Few totally depend on others to take care of them.

Most want to survive, which means "to not die." But few really seek to be prepared for the uncertain as well as the inevitable. The word "survivalist" means different things to different people. The first thing that might come to mind is "one with various skills, such has hunting, gardening, self-protection, etc., who lives in the wilderness and stores up food and goods. A survivalist is someone who tries to insure his personal survival or the survival of his family or group, in the event of difficulty, opposition, and especially the threat of natural catastrophe, nuclear war, or breakdown of society.

It is wise to prepare for the future--even for possible difficult times. Many in our day have not seen hard times and think little of the need to prepare. You, however, may have lived through the depression years and therefore know how difficult surviving can be. While we might question the wisdom of one who spends all his time and resources seeking to be prepared for things that MIGHT happen on earth, who could question the wisdom of those who diligently seek to be prepared for the world to come? We all need to be survivalists when it comes to that.

In two great lessons, both found in Matthew 25, Jesus taught the wisdom of being prepared for the judgment and the foolishness of not being prepared. Jesus also downplayed the practice of storing up earthly goods with no consideration for the soul. He said, "For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul” (Mt 16:26)?

In the parable of the rich foolish farmer Jesus spoke of the foolishness of building up treasures on earth, rather than heaven--resulting in neglecting one's soul. The farmer who had a bumper crop said to his soul, "Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God" (Luke 12:16-31).

Jesus spoke of the foolishness of starting a building without having the money or materials to complete the job (Luke 14:28, 29). He also spoke of the wisdom of building a house on the rock and the foolishness of building on the sand, but the main point was the necessity of hearing and doing the will of God (Luke 6:47,48; James 1:22-25). Survivalists endeavor to make wise decisions as they go about their lives. But the truly wise man puts his time, money and labor into preparing for the world to come. Jesus said, "I go to prepare a place for you...that where I am there you may be also" (John 14:2-3).

There is nothing fruity or foolish about being a survivalist, unless one fails to consider the most important things in life--Jesus and the teachings in the Bible--and neglects to care for his soul and prepare for the life to come. So if you are a survivalist that is concerned about dire circumstances to come, take whatever precautions you deem necessary. But realize the importance of preparing for the judgment. If you are prepared things will go well. But if not it will be a great catastrophe.

The church of Christ at Forum welcomes visitors and/or private home studies. See the link below for contact information: www.ForumCOC.org