Bible Teachers Selling Survival Products

[Chris]

http://gracethrufaith.com/ask-a-bibl...ival-products/

Bible Teachers Selling Survival Products

Q. I have come upon the programs of some TV evangelists as they expound on preparing for the hard times ahead. One even has food buckets he sells and other tools to survive the difficult times ahead. I feel like I am all alone as I don’t have solid ground to stand on. I guess its my doubt that God will provide. Even otherwise trustworthy Bible scholars have areas of disagreement on this subject.

A. It’s human nature to want to be prepared. It gives us a greater sense of security and a feeling that we’re at least partially in control of things. On the other hand living by faith as the Bible commands (2 cor. 5:7) us is very difficult because it involves giving up our control and trusting the Lord to protect us like He promised to (Matt. 6:31-33) when we know we don’t deserve His protection.

Personally, I’m very suspicious of internet or TV Bible teachers who are selling survival stuff, whether it’s food packages, or equipment, or just “how-to” guides. To my way of thinking, they have a conflict of interest because they’re profiting by “helping” us prepare for the hard times they’re teaching about. The income derived from these sales can easily cloud their teaching objectivity. I think we need to be extra diligent in searching the Scriptures to see if these teachers are being faithful to Biblical truth.

[BigMoose]

Agree completely. Once marketing/selling gets co-mingled with the Gospel bad things happen.

I am also old enough now to see vibrant Church communities "grow up" and get financially rich, and loose their first love... it is sad to watch a community rot from within, thinking every moment it is doing the right thing... as the people bring mankinds business practices into the Church.

The biggest area to keep guard over is transparency and our yes meaning yes and our no meaning no. Both the flock and leadership can start to "spin" things to not offend powerful groups. When this happens, IMHO He is no longer served, and the group in question is now serving their idol.

We need to be extremely on guard in these times... remember He said, even the elect could be deceived by the "times..." if that were possible. Paraphrase of Matt 24:24

[Chris]

http://gracethrufaith.com/ask-a-bibl...ar-or-faith-2/

Fear Or Faith?

Q. I am embarrassed to admit after reading a commentary today that I am starting to feel fear. I look to the end times prophecies with hope and trembling. The fear comes from his writing that we should have supplies on hand because we can’t trust the government for dependence. I understand that fact. But in my case, I am losing my home and I don’t have means to store supplies.

A. The problem I have with these so called Preppers is so many of them take God out of the equation and leave us believing we alone are responsible for our survival. The truth be told, surviving the end times is beyond everyone’s capability. But the Lord promised if we seek his Kingdom and His righteousness He’ll take care of our needs (Matt. 6:31-33). Seeking His Kingdom is something anyone can do. It only takes faith and it will drive your fear away.

[Buzzardhut]

Post tribbers are urging others to prepare for their battle with the Antichrist

Which is a false theology.

[BarbT]

We have too many pastors, bible teachers, and "prophecy scholars" out there who deny the pre-trib Rapture and are sewing fear into new believers.

"preparing for hard times ahead" is their code for the unscriptural view that Christians will go through the Time of Jacob's Trouble.

[Buzzardhut]

Post trib and prewrath survivalists are making money off their wares just as the liturgicals make money off their sacramental relics and trinkets.

[HeIsEnough]

The new moneychangers.

[Todd]

Some of these survival salesmen have caused Christians to lose big money in silver investments. They tell people to pile in at $45, and now it's selling at $26 per ounce.

I think rice and beans would be a better investment. They haven't gone up 5 times in value.

[IamHis]

These 'to prep or not to prep' threads have been coming up a bit more recently.
Here is my humble opinion, Starts with a question. Do we, as born again believers,
KNOW how bad circumstances might get before the rapture? Unless God has
spoken to you on this, the answer must be no.
That being said, I don't think it is being without faith in God's providence to
have some emergency food and supplies on hand. In my case, my house would
be a refuge for myself, my son, his wife and their 4 kids, all of them under the
age of 8. Hurricanes, possible terrorist attacks, grid going down, any of these
things can happen. I can tough it out, but kids don't understand why there is
no more food when they are hungry. Now, those people you see on the prepping
TV shows, who are storing MASS amounts of goods, that is a spirit of fear.
We are not to have a spirit of fear. We are to trust in the Lord. So, if you are
being led to put by some emergency supplies, it is only discerning the signs of
the times we now live in. Do I think Bible teachers should be selling 'survival' supplies.
No. Not if they are causing a spirit of fear.

[ronbo477]

I think it is important to know survial skills. Where would we be if our forebearers didn't have them. During the great depression a lot of business men commited suicide because hey didn't know how to cope. The rural folks did a lot better. The rapture will save us fom the trib but not from the nations disobeying the Lords commandments.

[Buzzardhut]

These 'to prep or not to prep' threads have been coming up a bit more recently.
Here is my humble opinion, Starts with a question. Do we, as born again believers,
KNOW how bad circumstances might get before the rapture? Unless God has
spoken to you on this, the answer must be no.
That being said, I don't think it is being without faith in God's providence to
have some emergency food and supplies on hand. In my case, my house would
be a refuge for myself, my son, his wife and their 4 kids, all of them under the
age of 8. Hurricanes, possible terrorist attacks, grid going down, any of these
things can happen. I can tough it out, but kids don't understand why there is
no more food when they are hungry. Now, those people you see on the prepping
TV shows, who are storing MASS amounts of goods, that is a spirit of fear.
We are not to have a spirit of fear. We are to trust in the Lord. So, if you are
being led to put by some emergency supplies, it is only discerning the signs of
the times we now live in. Do I think Bible teachers should be selling 'survival' supplies.
No. Not if they are causing a spirit of fear.

The issue involves the motivation behind it; if you want to stock up for bad times in your local area that's fine and dandy; but if you are stocking up because you are listening to post tribbers and believe you have to fight God's wrath and the Antichrist then your theology is bonkers and you are wasting your hard earned cash $$.

[iSong6:3]

These 'to prep or not to prep' threads have been coming up a bit more recently.

They have but that's not the purpose of this thread. To all - let's not threadjack.

Do I think Bible teachers should be selling 'survival' supplies.
No. Not if they are causing a spirit of fear.

That's the purpose of this thread.

As Jack said, they're profiting off the fear they instill in people.

[Buzzardhut]

They have but that's not the purpose of this thread.

As Jack said, they're profiting off the fear they instill in people.

Just like the liturgicals profit off the fear of not working hard enough for salvation and must purchase magical trinkets to please the Roman christ and ward off evil angels and spirits.

[iSong6:3]

Just like the liturgicals profit off the fear of not working hard enough for salvation and must purchase magical trinkets to please the Roman christ and ward off evil angels and spirits.

Yep. The liturgicals change doctrine to make money off the scared people. Woe to them.

For the love of money is the root of all sorts of evil. And you cannot serve God and mammon.

[ronbo477]

I disagree with ministries selling survial food. Ministries should proclaim Christ. That said, I wouldn't mind a ministry teaching what eagle scouts know.

[Acts5:41]

Well, you know my viewpoint, I've typed it a million times.

But THAT? Totally unscriptural.

"Survival Kits" are not a good idea. People can buy their own stuff in bulk, if they're led to do so.

I have had problems with my blog; yesterday, in fact, I had to delete a spam - someone wanting to market their Bible study program.

I can't imagine getting paid to do a Bible handout! The only thing I've ever taken was a bottle of water, or a box of Bibles.

[Deb101]

Welcome to the wonderful world of Christianity for profit

The only solid ground I have today is the Word of God, if my loins are not girded by the Truth I will fall for any foolish notion. Only by the Holy Spirit enlightening the mind as you read the Bible can you build that foundation.

Proverbs 24:3; Luke 6:47-49

Ephesians 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand . 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

[Ellen1]

We attended a church a few weeks ago and they were offering emergency food kits from the pulpit, we just shook our heads in wonder! If you have been watching the news (world-wide) you may have the feeling that doom and gloom is all there is in our future forecast. The emails I get on a daily basis also reflect a sense of hopelessness. We who serve the Almighty, Living God, the only God the Creator of all things know that there is hope, hope, and more hope in a world that seems hopeless because He is on the throne and nothing can usurp Almighty God. Not a failing world economy, not earthquakes in diverse places, not roaring seas or pestilence. God is on the throne on that we can depend, and nothing is a surprise to Him…He has it all under control it is just a matter of trust. Some of us cannot learn to trust Him unless our faith is tested, so even though we may go through some trying times the faith He will build in us will glorify Him. That is worth it all to me. The people of God need to speak hope to the world and we need to testify of the hope that is in us. People of God need to have courage when hearts are fainting because of fear! For the Lord loves the just and will not forsake His faithful ones. They will be protected forever, but the offspring of the wicked will be cut off. Remember that the Lord God gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. When we are weak, He is strong. Let Jesus shine out of you like never before Brothers and Sisters and stake yourself to each other so that we can all stand in the hard times, and do more than stand, walk in the ways of the Lord. The world must see the hope that shines from the child of God in order for them to desire what we have, Jesus Christ…Christ in us the hope of glory. Don’t look at circumstances as being hopeless because circumstances are temporary! We need more than survivors we need people filled with courage who know that they can overcome any obstacles because Jesus Christ overcame this fallen world and we belong to Him. I want to encourage you to be content in all things…I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength. Did you get that? Everything, we can do everything through Christ who gives us strength. We don’t have to fear, we don’t have to be filled with dread, and we don’t have to faint because we are more than conquerors. We need to be the cheerleaders, we have the truth we carry the hope of the ages within us and don’t you know that people around us need to hear that? Hope is what this world needs right now. Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God. Through Him you believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and glorified Him, and so your faith and hope are in God. Be strong and take heart, all you whose hope is in the Lord. For you have been my hope, O Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth. Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. God will provide we have His word on that and His word is true. Remember that He grants peace to your borders and satisfies you with the finest of wheat! He provides food for those who fear Him; He remembers His covenant forever. “So do not worry saying what shall we eat? Or what shall we wear? For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.” He knows what we need and when we need it, and He may rescue you at the very last minute as He has with us. Two things to remember right now….Speak hope to others and know with certainty that God is on the Throne! Fear not, for the Lord knows all your needs!

[iSong6:3]

Amen and amen, Ellen.

[Raphael]

Quick tip for spotting undoctrinal merchandise: It costs $19.95.