PREP Thinking of feeding the have-nots when SHTF?

[biere]

That food handout line you are using for camoflauge might come with some rules and regs and questions I don't want. I live in a rural area and having meat on the hoof it is already known we have food so I doubt I am going near a food line.

They very well might take your address down and come check you out if they think you have food so they can redistribute your food for the good of all.

Since I live rural I don't really expect a few hundred section 8 food stamp using folks to show up at once. If they do, they will be taught to be quiet and be polite and if there is anything that can be done I will try to help but a group like that is kind of like a locust plague that strips things bare and moves on to strip other areas bare next.

Give me a family or something and I will do what I can do. Kids and elderly can do easy chores but able bodied folks get to work for their meal.

I don't have a big place, and I just rent anyway, but around here the neighbors will be helping each other out so we can certainly work together to do what we can.

Part of why I went to storing rice and beans as well as eating rice and beans a fair bit is because a bean stew on an outside fire pit can feed a lot of people. Might not be super filling but it is a start and depending on the season some local stuff might be found and added to it or stuff from the garden perhaps.

I have a big extended family. I don't even know for sure if I would stay where I am at in bad times or go to one of their houses.

I plan to work on rebuilding what is worth rebuilding and I will have something to say to what is left of the gov. if they want to come through and take what everyone has and control it.

Part of rebuilding is working on ways to support those you can support.

And to some extent I can say this because I am single with no kids. If I get married and have a kid or four then yeah I will make sure their food is not touched but the attitude will stay the same because I do believe in helping those who will try to do some work.

They might only be able to help stack firewood. Or gather downed wood. Or work the mulch and garden beds.

But there is something they can probably be put to work doing that will give me more time on something else.

 

[imaginative]

I always figured that I would either just say no or offer a very undesirable trade like "this old food for your Benz" to anyone who wasnt in my SHTF group. When there is no food available people will just go batshit crazy in today's America; ever see a KFC run out of food?Those folks will riot; just last week we read about some crazy who attacked her dad over potato salad. Yesterday someone tried to kill the infant of a couple who wouldnt give her a slice of bread. Just wait until they are really hungry...

Infant stabbed in head amid fight over bread

A fight over two slices of bread ended up with an infant cut on the head with a knife and the suspect in jail, according to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.

The incident happened about 7:20 p.m. Monday at a 23rd Street apartment in Marathon. Kenneshia Thurman, 18, was arrested, jailed and charged with aggravated battery, burglary and violation of probation.

Deputy Becky Herrin says “multiple witnesses” told Deputy Anthony O’Dea that Thurman knocked on the next-door apartment door of Justin Rodgers, 26, and asked for bread. Rodgers and Desanta Carey, 29, who was visiting from Key West, refused to give bread. Thurman got angry.

Rodgers and Carey tried to close the door, Herrin said, but at first Thurman held it open. Eventually, they were able to close it, leaving Thurman outside.

Thurman reportedly then walked back to her apartment, got a knife, returned to Rodgers’ apartment, forced her way in and tried to stab Carey.

Carey was holding her 2-month-old girl at the time and Thurman struck the child in the head with the knife instead of stabbing Carey, causing a small cut to the child’s forehead. Paramedics treated the infant at the apartment.

Thurman was arrested at a nearby convenience store.

http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/11/08/2492835/infant-stabbed-in-head-amid-fight.html

 

[rummer]

for the one's who mentioned Bible Parables and what would Jesus do, well this one came to my thoughts.

1 “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
2 Five of the virgins were foolish, and five were wise.
3 When the foolish ones took their lamps, they did not take extra olive oil with them.
4 But the wise ones took flasks of olive oil with their lamps.
5 When the bridegroom was delayed a long time, they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
6 But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Look, the bridegroom is here! Come out to meet him.’
7 Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps.
8 The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are going out.’
9 ‘No,’ they replied. ‘There won’t be enough for you and for us. Go instead to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’
10 But while they had gone to buy it, the bridegroom arrived, and those who were ready went inside with him to the wedding banquet. Then the door was shut.
11 Later, the other virgins came too, saying, ‘Lord, lord! Let us in!’
12 But he replied, ‘I tell you the truth, I do not know you!’
13 Therefore stay alert, because you do not know the day or the hour” (Matthew 25:1-13).

 

[Mongo]

I really like this woman's approach and attitude.
No, I don't know her.

 

[Kathy in FL]

2 Thessalonians 3

Those Who Are Lazy

(snip)
Ummmmmmmm, which version did this come from? The Red Neck justify my self centered anything goes in my version of the world Bible Studies?


Certainly a new one on me.

Does the Onion have a Bible Version?

Or is some Jewish comedian pulling your leg?


BTW, the Apostles and Disciples all went around freeloading. Did you miss the memo?

It is a common man's language Bible. And NOPE the apostles and disciples did not freeload. Many were tentmakers. A couple were fishermen and continued that trade even while Jesus was here on Earth when they needed stuff. They worked with their hands to pay their way. Read the Bible and dispute it with scripture. Don't just assume you know what you are talking about.

Here's a couple of more traditional translations but you can find dozens of translations and Biblical commentaries at http://bible.cc/2_thessalonians/3-10.htm

For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: "If a man will not work, he shall not eat." We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busy bodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat. 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12

For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: Anyone unwilling to work should not eat. For we hear that some of you are living in idleness, mere busybodies, not doing any work. Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. Brothers and sisters, do not be weary in doing what is right.
2 Thessalonians 3:10-13, NRSV

2 Thessalonians 3:6-15
6In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. 7For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, 8nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. 9We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow. 10For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: "If a man will not work, he shall not eat." 11We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies. 12Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat. 13And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right. 14If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of him. Do not associate with him, in order that he may feel ashamed. 15Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.

About those who are lazy 3:6-13
v6 *Brothers and *sisters, keep away from Christians who are lazy. Such people do not live in the way that we taught you. We tell you to do this by the authority that the *Lord Jesus Christ gives to us. v7 You yourselves know very well that you should live as we did. We were not lazy when we were with you. v8 We did not depend on any of you for our food without paying for it. No, we worked hard night and day. We earned what we needed. So we did not have to charge you anything at all. v9 We did this, not because we do not have the right to expect such help. But we did it so as to be an example of how you should live. v10 Because when we were with you, we gave you this rule: Whoever refuses to work should not eat.
v11 We say this because we hear that some among you are lazy. They talk about other people but do no work themselves. v12 By the authority that we have in the *Lord Jesus Christ, we urge them to work quietly. They must earn the money to buy their own food. v13 But you, *brothers and *sisters, must never tire of doing good things.

 

[Ender]

I think it is best to go by the Master's own words:


Matthew 25:31-46
The Sheep and the Goats

31"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels
with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory.

32All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will
separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates
the sheep from the goats. 33He will put the sheep on his right
and the goats on his left.

34"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you
who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom
prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was
hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you
gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited
me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and
you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'

37"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see
you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to
drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or
needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or
in prison and go to visit you?'

40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did
for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

41"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you
who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and
his angels. 42For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat,
I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43I was a stranger
and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not
clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'

44"They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or
thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison,
and did not help you?'

45"He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do
for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'

46"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous
to eternal life."

 

[Dennis Olson]

I will never help those who were lazy or stupid.

I will always help those who, through no fault of their own, are in dire straits.

 

[Kathy in FL]

Ender, the Bible doesn't contradict itself. You and I both know God is God all the time and doesn't lie.

If God has commanded one thing and then another thing seems to contradict it then you and I both know we need to study why we perceive what God is telling us to be a contradiction.

What I've studied is this:

Jesus in his earthly ministry did not physically feed his followers at every meal by way of miracle. Jesus came not to change the Word of God but to fulfill it. So everything ... the laws, etc. ... they still held true. Jesus offered us Grace but we were still supposed to use discernment. Like the whole eating meat that had been sacrified thing ... it was permissable under Grace but not necessarily a good thing to do because it interferred with their Witness.

That means that the prohibition against laziness and sloth still remained in effect. The Bible has a lot to say on the subject and none of it is good.

We also need to examine who the "least of these" means. Who was Jesus talking about? Children? probably. The elderly unable to toil for themselves? Probably. Those unable to work for their bread for some reason? Probably. Able bodied adults with nothing keeping them from working? No.

Just giving food away also wasn't the norm on how "the least" were served during Jesus' day. Gleaning of fields was a primary method, that meant that "the least" still toiled, still worked. Even up to my grandfather's day ... say as late as the mid 80s ... many farmers would still leave the outermost rows of a field for gleaners to come in and harvest from, usually at night when no one was looking.

Jesus wants us to do as He did ... but He doesn't want us to be enablers either. Sometimes God allows people to suffer to draw them closer to Him. BTDT myself.

You've been called to a unique position. You've also made choices for yourself. More power to you. But your calling and your choices aren't necessarily what He has called everyone else to. Perhaps you've been called to martyrdom. Who knows? Perhaps you've been called to leadership? Again, who knows but God? What I do know is that God calls different people to different things and He has called others of us to be stewards of a different portion and we are to use that as He sees fit.

If God wants someone helped He will make the opportunity and resources available. A couple of others mentioned offering to trade work for food. Another way might be an unexpected largesse followed by an unexpected bit of company.

 

[Army Girl]

Mr 14:7 For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always.
The poor will always be there to help, the Lord said we may do them good whensoever ye will, it is our choice when we would like to help.

Pr 21:13 Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.
Pr 28:27 He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.

The Bible has a lot to say about the poor, and the early church was known to remember the poor.
Ga 2:10 Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.

 

[Ender]

Ender, the Bible doesn't contradict itself. You and I both know God is God all the time and doesn't lie.

If God has commanded one thing and then another thing seems to contradict it then you and I both know we need to study why we perceive what God is telling us to be a contradiction.

What I've studied is this:

Jesus in his earthly ministry did not physically feed his followers at every meal by way of miracle. Jesus came not to change the Word of God but to fulfill it. So everything ... the laws, etc. ... they still held true. Jesus offered us Grace but we were still supposed to use discernment. Like the whole eating meat that had been sacrified thing ... it was permissable under Grace but not necessarily a good thing to do because it interferred with their Witness.

That means that the prohibition against laziness and sloth still remained in effect. The Bible has a lot to say on the subject and none of it is good.

We also need to examine who the "least of these" means. Who was Jesus talking about? Children? probably. The elderly unable to toil for themselves? Probably. Those unable to work for their bread for some reason? Probably. Able bodied adults with nothing keeping them from working? No.

Just giving food away also wasn't the norm on how "the least" were served during Jesus' day. Gleaning of fields was a primary method, that meant that "the least" still toiled, still worked. Even up to my grandfather's day ... say as late as the mid 80s ... many farmers would still leave the outermost rows of a field for gleaners to come in and harvest from, usually at night when no one was looking.

Jesus wants us to do as He did ... but He doesn't want us to be enablers either. Sometimes God allows people to suffer to draw them closer to Him. BTDT myself.

You've been called to a unique position. You've also made choices for yourself. More power to you. But your calling and your choices aren't necessarily what He has called everyone else to. Perhaps you've been called to martyrdom. Who knows? Perhaps you've been called to leadership? Again, who knows but God? What I do know is that God calls different people to different things and He has called others of us to be stewards of a different portion and we are to use that as He sees fit.

If God wants someone helped He will make the opportunity and resources available. A couple of others mentioned offering to trade work for food. Another way might be an unexpected largesse followed by an unexpected bit of company.

Sorry, but the Bible contradicts itself many times. When in doubt, I choose the words of the Savior.

I realized a long time ago that the motives of those who seek help is between them and God- MY motives are what is important between me and GOD.

The parable of the sheep and the goats is a perfect example of motives.

If the goats knew it was for God, they would also have helped, but since to them it was just some "able-bodied people who should go find a job" they did NOT help.

This life ain't "it" and those who choose to care about this life more than the next tend to be goats.

 

[moldy]

I'm thinking there will always be some food available - incredibly expensive, hard to come by, possibly insect infested, but food. (I guess I'm thinking like the USSR in the bad old days). The parable of the virgins with lamps waiting for the bridegroom comes to mind. When those running out of oil asked for some from those who prepared, they were told 'Go into town to the merchants and buy more." There was no indication IF the foolish virgins could pay for it or not.

 

[mostlyharmless]

Care for family first. Neighbors who ridiculed you for being a nut... well, they will be a risk if they know you prepped. Start considering what they might be able to barter in exchange for your provisions. If they cannot provide an equal value (by your new standards) tell them you have nothing for them. The well's gone dry.

I've already got the speech planned. See, if I *give* you a day worth of food ... I am prolonging YOUR life by one day. Unfortunately, this also means that I am shortening my life by a day as well.

What can you contribute that would be worth a day of my life?

 

[sardog]

there are a lot of well thought out responses here, and a lot of very selfish almost sociopathic responses.

the responses from some of the well known bible thumpers are hilarious. followers of Christ? give me a break. let the fu_kers starve is what several have said.


I like this one to a point:

And when one person finds out that you have for food for you and yours, then a couple of days later it turns into a hundred that think you have food for them after the word spreads and they will take it at whatever means is necessary.


I would say it depends on the circumstance.

Trying to feed a stranger or two in a place where a gaggle of strangers could quickly appear might be suicide.

But feeding a stranger or family while looking like you are hungry yourself or able to take someone in might be charitable.

The ancient Gods of the Greeks would often travel among men disguised as beggars (as did Odin) to see how they were treated, to judge men's hearts.

In a true shtf scenario you would have to be very careful. However, in a month or two if there were enough people around, they would KNOW by smell and other ways that you had food.

Better plan on forting up with a number of people otherwise you are dead meat anyways.

And in that case, you may be judged a little less harshly upon death if you weren't so friggin selfish and self centered.

I'm ready for death and judgment. I am not so fearful of dying. My soul is more important to me than my body.

But then I am more of a pagan than some of you thumpers.

Be kind to strangers, you may be entertaining angels unaware.

 

[Loon]

Anyone coming for food would be pointed in the direction of the lake at the end of the road and told to GO FISH! I'd even supply them with fishing line and let them use a branch for a rod and let them dig for worms.

 

[NancyJo]

I will never help those who were lazy or stupid.

I will always help those who, through no fault of their own, are in dire straits.


I have put in my plan, to help the no fault of their own. Treat others as you would like to be treated.

I wish everyone didn't think of the, hiddy hole they have built as their kingdom, you might want to think God helped you in your plan, to have extra, to help someone he deems fit in helping??

 

[Dio]

Another point, if you have preped and stay out of or away from handouts, gov't programs, etc it gives the "have nots" a better opportunity to survive.

 

[joyfulheart]

I really like this woman's approach and attitude.
No, I don't know her.

That is awesome! And definately doable-- great idea!
I had to go to the store anyway, so picked up 2 of the 5 lb bags of cornmeal-- just so ya'll know, her "recipes" are on the side of the bag.

I do love her videos-- such a great family!

 

[NancyJo]

well LOON you are helping in teaching them how to fish, That is a good point and you would not have to do it.

 

[timbo]

Very good question and one that needs to be thought out carefully.



Oh- one more thing. Be creative. If you want to give someone food. Tell them that you know where they can get some. Drop a small package at a hidden place and then they only know that one place.... NOT your home
stead.

Best idea I've heard about this in a long time. Make it at least 3 miles away.

 

[imaginative]

I really like this woman's approach and attitude.
No, I don't know her.

Good vid- thanks

Italians call that meal polenta. Can be served hot like the mush or chilled, sliced and fried for breakfast. The traditional favorite is baked with fresh tomato sauce. Its known as the food of the peasants but, ironically, it will command a big dollar in any upscale Italian restaurant.

 

[Kathy in FL]

Good vid- thanks

Italians call that meal polenta. Can be served hot like the mush or chilled, sliced and fried for breakfast. The traditional favorite is baked with fresh tomato sauce. Its known as the food of the peasants but, ironically, it will command a big dollar in any upscale Italian restaurant.

You can do the same thing with plain ol' southern grits.

 

[Last Resort]

for the one's who mentioned Bible Parables and what would Jesus do, well this one came to my thoughts.

1 “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
2 Five of the virgins were foolish, and five were wise.
3 When the foolish ones took their lamps, they did not take extra olive oil with them.
4 But the wise ones took flasks of olive oil with their lamps.
5 When the bridegroom was delayed a long time, they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
6 But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Look, the bridegroom is here! Come out to meet him.’
7 Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps.
8 The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are going out.’
9 ‘No,’ they replied. ‘There won’t be enough for you and for us. Go instead to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’
10 But while they had gone to buy it, the bridegroom arrived, and those who were ready went inside with him to the wedding banquet. Then the door was shut.
11 Later, the other virgins came too, saying, ‘Lord, lord! Let us in!’
12 But he replied, ‘I tell you the truth, I do not know you!’
13 Therefore stay alert, because you do not know the day or the hour” (Matthew 25:1-13).

Wow, funny you should mention this post. It was the keynote of the sermon at Mass on Sunday! I kept waiting for the pastor to tie the parable to preparedness, given that I live in Florida, but no it was all about being prepared for the Kingdom of God and always being ready to die in grace (not in those exact words, of course). While I like this parable and the lesson, it would have been nice of the pastor to put it into earthly terms for the grasshoppers in our congregation. Maybe next time.

As for feeding the have-nots: IF I have the spare food, and IF my neighbors and I can forage for frogs, squirrels, cupboard items, etc. I'll help make some stone soup. If the neighbors are a block away or random migrating refugees, sorry, you're on your own. There's a hose on the side of the house and I think we still have some water pressure.

 

[dogmanan]

If somebody comes to my house and says to me if you have any thing to eat jusat a little I will be willing to work for it and my wife and kids will to ,we will work on what ever you want for some food.[yes I will help them]
If somebody comes to my house and sayes do you have food I want I want some I know you have some give me some.[Know I will not help them execpt to meet their maker if neccessery]

IMHO thinking and looking at it like that makes it very easy, very cut and dry, and for those who believe, how god and jesus would handle it IMO.


Remeber when every one else is starving and losing weight their cloths will be hanging on them, so remeber to have many sizes of cloths bigger then you need so when you go out,and as people look skiner and skiner you will be able to look the same as them.

If you dont do this you will be a target for sure, all the starving will see you and say they have food,follow you home and at some point take you out.
Can go to good will or other like shops and buy cheap big cloths.

later

 

[Hansa44]

I've already got the speech planned. See, if I *give* you a day worth of food ... I am prolonging YOUR life by one day. Unfortunately, this also means that I am shortening my life by a day as well.

What can you contribute that would be worth a day of my life?

Whew! I'm at a loss for words. Surprise!

I see it so totally different. If I shorten my life by one day by helping someone else live a day and I would get to go home even one day early, especially in a world gone completely mad, it would be a blessing to me. I could not even think of a gift greater than that.

 

[LightEcho]

I think we need to be careful in how we USE the words of the bible.

God gives us blessings for His purposes and because He trusts us with that much to do what is right. America was blessed abundantly but has allowed thieves to take over and trample those blessings out to the world. Instead of plenty being provided with righteousness, we have plenty being redistributed with corruption.

What value is it to take God's blessings and give it to those who insist on rejecting God? You take care of family. The true Church is your family. Those outside the Church are strangers. You need to be able to discern the heart condition of the visitor as to whether they are family or foe. Those who accept the demonic possession of their souls are NOT to be accommodated. If you think you can pray against someone's will or that your kindness will make them good, you are in deception.

 

[dogmanan]

LightEcho very good point and one I believe in and live by.

later

 

[arbilad]

Ummmmmmmm, which version did this come from? The Red Neck justify my self centered anything goes in my version of the world Bible Studies?


Certainly a new one on me.

Does the Onion have a Bible Version?

Or is some Jewish comedian pulling your leg?


BTW, the Apostles and Disciples all went around freeloading. Did you miss the memo?

Actually, the Apostle we have the most information on, Paul, contradicts that. Paul was a tent maker, and practiced his profession to feed himself in whatever city he travelled to.

 

[nharrold]

If somebody comes to my house and says to me if you have any thing to eat jusat a little I will be willing to work for it and my wife and kids will to ,we will work on what ever you want for some food.[yes I will help them]
If somebody comes to my house and sayes do you have food I want I want some I know you have some give me some.[Know I will not help them execpt to meet their maker if neccessery]

IMHO thinking and looking at it like that makes it very easy, very cut and dry, and for those who believe, how god and jesus would handle it IMO.


Remeber when every one else is starving and losing weight their cloths will be hanging on them, so remeber to have many sizes of cloths bigger then you need so when you go out,and as people look skiner and skiner you will be able to look the same as them.

If you dont do this you will be a target for sure, all the starving will see you and say they have food,follow you home and at some point take you out.
Can go to good will or other like shops and buy cheap big cloths.

later

Just a thought re: having someone work to earn a handout...where I live, there is relatively little outside work that can be done after the rains start. And that condition exists for six months or more. And I sure wouldn't allow supplicants inside any of my buildings during that period. So there isn't much the beggars could contribute to earn some help from me. That leaves one option: "Get 'em up and move 'em out".

 

[Adino]

God forbid anyone pray and ask Yahweh on a minute by minute, day by day, meal by meal basis what He'd have us do.

I plan on relying on my Covenant with the maker of Heaven and earth and my relationship with Him to make it. He is the source. I'll not be putting my faith in anything in this world. Not preps, not family, not neighbors, not guns. Nothing but Him. From where I sit it's the only chance to make it.

Heb 13:1-2
1 Let brotherly love continue.
2 Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.
(NKJ)

IKing 17:7-16
7 And it happened after a while that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land.
8 Then the word of the LORD came to him, saying,
9 "Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. See, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you."
10 So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, indeed a widow was there gathering sticks. And he called to her and said, "Please bring me a little water in a cup, that I may drink."
11 And as she was going to get it, he called to her and said, "Please bring me a morsel of bread in your hand."
12 So she said, "As the LORD your God lives, I do not have bread, only a handful of flour in a bin, and a little oil in a jar; and see, I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it, and die."
13 And Elijah said to her, "Do not fear; go and do as you have said, but make me a small cake from it first, and bring it to me; and afterward make some for yourself and your son.
14 "For thus says the LORD God of Israel: 'The bin of flour shall not be used up, nor shall the jar of oil run dry, until the day the LORD sends rain on the earth.'"
15 So she went away and did according to the word of Elijah; and she and he and her household ate for many days.
16 The bin of flour was not used up, nor did the jar of oil run dry, according to the word of the LORD which He spoke by Elijah.
(NKJ)

Guess it was a good idea the widow listened to the Lord. Told Elijah He had instructed her to do it. She did. She survived.

And it was the power of the Holy Spirit that performed every miracle the Master and every single other person in the Bible performed. Yeshua, just like the mighty men of God of old, just like us, are the conduit through which Yahweh works. Nothing more, nothing less.

John 14:10-21
10 "Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works.
11 "Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves.
12 "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.
13 "And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
14 "If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.
15 "If you love Me, keep My commandments.
16 "And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever--
17 "the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.
18 "I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.
19 "A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also.
20 "At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.
21 "He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him."
(NKJ)

Mark 16:17-20
17 "And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;
18 "they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."
19 So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God.
20 And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.
(NKJ)

Everyone is free to decide what they believe and what they will rely on. Me, I'm gonna cling to my Father and Savior and trust them to order my steps.

Its all a test and prep work for the next era and eternity. This is nothing but boot camp. I'm not gonna wash out at this stage in the game.

Keepin' my eyes on the long game. Its all about that one moment we look the King in the face. I wanna hear 3 things
1) Well done good and faithful servant.
2) Enter into the rest our Father has prepared for you from before the world was born
3) You have been faithful over little. I will make you faithful over much

Eternity and your position in it. The real long game. The only one that matters.


1 Cor 2:9-16
9 But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him."
10 But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.
11 For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God.
12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.
13 These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
15 But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one.
16 For "who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?" But we have the mind of Christ.
(NKJ)




Who will I care for?

Whoever He tells me to. Count on it. His decisions. Not mine. His work out better for me than mine do anyways.

Shalom

 

[LightEcho]

Hello Adino... I don't believe anyone here was saying they put their FAITH in food preps. That accusation is a little smarmie from lofty peaks. We can get right to the pragmatic & realistic question- do you have a refrigerator? Why would you bother to store food in a refrigerator when you should just trust in God to provide for you?

You will notice that some of us talk about discerning the visitor. Not all are "brothers". Would you take into your home a serpent?

Why is your avatar holding a zionist magic hexagram symbol over the christian fish? Are you aware of what that says?

 

[rummer]

I will never help those who were lazy or stupid.

I will always help those who, through no fault of their own, are in dire straits.

My feelings exactly. I can barely put up enough for my own family, let alone a mob of others. And a mob of others who were more concerned about having expensive material things verses putting away for a rainy day. I would give in some circumstances but very carefully. Once word is out that you have food, you and yours are doomed.

 

[DannyBoy]

...zionist magic hexagram symbol over the christian fish? Are you aware of what that says?

Not me, but I am waiting to be enlightened...

Dan

 

[rummer]

Hello Adino... I don't believe anyone here was saying they put their FAITH in food preps. That accusation is a little smarmie from lofty peaks. We can get right to the pragmatic & realistic question- do you have a refrigerator? Why would you bother to store food in a refrigerator when you should just trust in God to provide for you?

You will notice that some of us talk about discerning the visitor. Not all are "brothers". Would you take into your home a serpent?

Why is your avatar holding a zionist magic hexagram symbol over the christian fish? Are you aware of what that says?

Agree, I would not take a meal from my child to give some crackhead a meal. For every meal I handed out would be one less meal my children or grandchildren would have. My responsibly is to my Children and Grandchildren and not mobs of people out there.

 

[Flippper]

I have been putting away as many seeds as I can, not all for us, but for those who come asking for food, and they will. A small packet with instructions pencilled on it can grow a year's worth of food if they are wise stewards of the contents. I could open the doors and feed part of the town I live in for one day. Then we are all dead in a month.

Times are different now than they have been in thousands of years, people expect handouts from those who have anything the beggar doesn't. obama rose to infamy on a similar platform, a free tank of gas and a free house just because you're you. Communism at it's worst, remember obama said we all need to be at the same level, though he wasn't speaking of the politicians like himself, cuz it's not "fair" that some have and others don't. Look at how many times the word fair is used with the implications of unfairness.

If time permits, we'll be growing an even larger garden next year and hopefully the neighbors who came over a month ago and saw what we had grown on our tiny plot will grow a garden like they said they would. When TSHTF we are relocating so won't have to worry much about them I hope. We've already told them nothing will be left of use here when we go. Teaching people to grow gardens and preserve the produce is paramount, I'd love to see the entire town do this, I wish to see no one perish.

 

[Adino]

Hello Adino... I don't believe anyone here was saying they put their FAITH in food preps. That accusation is a little smarmie from lofty peaks. We can get right to the pragmatic & realistic question- do you have a refrigerator? Why would you bother to store food in a refrigerator when you should just trust in God to provide for you?

You will notice that some of us talk about discerning the visitor. Not all are "brothers". Would you take into your home a serpent?

Why is your avatar holding a zionist magic hexagram symbol over the christian fish? Are you aware of what that says?

So Yahweh's discernment as to who is trustworthy and safe and in bounds to help is not as good as yours huh? He sees the inward parts, the heart of a man. Reckon there will be doctors and dentists and folks with worthy skills that will look pretty bad when the wheels fall off. Your eagle eye gonna catch all those diamonds in the rough?

I trust His discernment more than mine. Or yours. I'll ask Him for His thanks.

Yes I have a refrigerator. Cause its pragmatic. The food I put in it I trust Him to provide and I pray over. That's the faith part. See, faith and pragmatism can actually coexist in a fridge. Nice try though.

And the avatar is the seal of the early Church (cause they were all Jews. And Christians. You do know that Jew part right?) and you can see in it what you want.

You start out so nice. "Hello". But you're not really are you? Invite a serpent in? No. Didn't fall for you. Especially since you want to infer what I'm saying and run with that instead of thinking about what I've said and take it for what its worth.

You understand nothing about living a life of faith and really think your gonna school me?

Stand on the Rock and get back to me.

Smarmy? Look in the mirror, you're projecting what you feel guilty of yourself on to me.

I'm done here I have no time to play with folks looking for nothing but a fight.

 

[Loon]

I hope you all don't decide to open your doors if you don't intent to share food. Best to just not answer the door at all or if you must, have a rifle in your hand. Be prepared to defend what you have including your gardens and farm animals. Starving people will fight you for food.

You could always grow a field of zuchinni. I think you could feed a third world country with those.

 

[willowlady]

Answering the question in the OP: No.

To elaborate: In my neighborhood there will be many who leave for what they think are greener pastures. Their land can be converted to tillage, even though it's only suburban plots. The biggest issue is: How do we get those who remain organized enough to stay alive until first fruits arrive? Our plan is to go dark until one to three months have passed. No One other than my immediate family gets fed during that time. After the initial bug out of the DGIs, we will begin canvassing to see what and who remains. During that time we will be monitoring local evens via various means. If the inner city thugs start moving out of their territory sooner, we have to move up the timetable.

Then the real work begins. Assembling defense groups, preparing soil, organizing communal tasks and work teams, etc. Some of these tasks are already in a hold/waiting state of readiness. You get the picture. There are tons of natural food items available for the gathering if people are willing. Any not willing shall find themselves outside in a hurry. And most of the people around here can rely heavily on MAEs (meals already eaten) for the first year or so.

Is this what Christ would want? I haven't a clue if this is how he would do it, but remember he could feed 5,000 with a few fish and some bread to start with. What I'm sure of is that this is the best shot to get the most alive through a very horrid transition time. And those most are going to be contributing, working, members of a very different world. Or our plans fail utterly and we all perish. We will still have done the best we could according to our lights. My first and foremost responsibility is to my family. The community effort is only because we figured out some time before Y2K that long-term survival is not probable, or even very desirable, without community.

All of the above may be simplistic pipe-dreaming, in which case we will have to bug out ourselves. God will guide us one step at a time and we'll see what comes....

 

[LightEcho]

So Yahweh's discernment as to who is trustworthy and safe and in bounds to help is not as good as yours huh? He sees the inward parts, the heart of a man. Reckon there will be doctors and dentists and folks with worthy skills that will look pretty bad when the wheels fall off. Your eagle eye gonna catch all those diamonds in the rough?

I trust His discernment more than mine. Or yours. I'll ask Him for His thanks.

YHWH does not have discernment. He KNOWS everything. You might look up the word.

Yes I have a refrigerator. Cause its pragmatic. The food I put in it I trust Him to provide and I pray over. That's the faith part. See, faith and pragmatism can actually coexist in a fridge. Nice try though.

I see you missed the point. Also, how is it "the faith part" to "pray over" food in your refrigerator?

I plan on relying on my Covenant with the maker of Heaven and earth and my relationship with Him to make it. He is the source. I'll not be putting my faith in anything in this world. Not preps, not family, not neighbors, not guns. Nothing but Him. From where I sit it's the only chance to make it.

So, if you are not putting your faith in those things, tell me you do not own a refrigerator, a gun, preps. And tell me that you have done nothing to prepare relationships for the times ahead. My reply to this was to shake the holier-than-Moses attitude.

And the avatar is the seal of the early Church (cause they were all Jews. And Christians. You do know that Jew part right?) and you can see in it what you want.

Oh, I am quite familiar with the fish symbol in times when the CHURCH was being persecuted. Your avatar makes it appear to be a dead hanging fish under a jewish symbol and a zionist/kabbalist symbol. The "star of David" had nothing to do with David and was not associated with any form of Israel until the middle ages. It was not part of the early Church as you say.

You start out so nice. "Hello". But you're not really are you? Invite a serpent in? No. Didn't fall for you. Especially since you want to infer what I'm saying and run with that instead of thinking about what I've said and take it for what its worth.

I can be as pleasant as one will afford through their true presentation and cantankerous as a mule when confronted with hypocrisy. I love Truth and hate hypocrisy. My "hello" was to get YOUR attention as it is YOU I was talking to. Hello?

You understand nothing about living a life of faith and really think your gonna school me?

Hmmm... and you know this how?

Stand on the Rock and get back to me.

I did my first post.

Smarmy? Look in the mirror, you're projecting what you feel guilty of yourself on to me.

No, not really. I know that it is not cut and dried when it comes to helping or not helping others. I am often amazed (still) as I look around and see the overwhelming majority of people who are non-functional. I am still also surprised at the very small number of people who are truly alive in the Spirit, in spite of the millions of church-going "holy" people. Discernment is not something God uses. It is a gift from God to those who are His own so that they can "see" what cannot be seen.

Before I had any children, my prayer was that my Father would only entrust to me those who would be of His kingdom. I did not want to waste time or heartache on those who would never be His. And in a similar way, so is it my prayer today. That He would give me discernment to know who to help and where to expend what He chooses me to expend.

In my travels I have been figuratively stoned as a heretic by many "faithful" "believers". Most of them stood on big rocks. But not The Rock.

I'm done here I have no time to play with folks looking for nothing but a fight.

Hashing out ideas and debating positions can only help those seeking truth- those having discernment.

 

[joyfulheart]

I do not want to turn this thread into a religious match.

But The Lord has nagged me for 3 years to set aside food. And I mean NAGGED-- for lack of a better word, because it was nonstop. The more I ignored or did not prepare, the worse it got. LOL His message was very clear.

I do not understand or know why Some have been Led by the Lord to prepare and others have not. All I can assume is that he has such different plans for each of us.

But I know that what little we have set aside will be enough. Every time in my life there has been a SHTF (personal) crisis, somehow we had exactly "enough"... not more, not less.

Even if I share with others, it won't matter. We will have enough. God has proven that to me over and over in my life, and whatever is ahead is no different.


I can never forget the story of a missionary in a poor community who bought a small ham. He planned on serving the ham to the people in the community while teaching them about Jesus. Nobody in this area had ever had ham before so it was a very exciting thing for the community. He expected 20 or 30 people. Instead, HUNDREDS of people showed up. He didn't know what to do, so he just said a prayer, started handing out ham and hoping for the best. Everyone that got ham, and he had ham leftover. He was able to tell so many people about Jesus that day and they all witnessed a miracle.

That's not in the Bible. That's not olden-days. That's now. In our times. If God can do it then, If God can do it now, than God can do it for whatever happens next too.

God is NOT going to let my children starve. To put limits on God like that is ridiculous.


( Don't get angry with me, I didn't derail this to a religious discussion. LOL )

 

[DannyBoy]

But I know that what little we have set aside will be enough. Every time in my life there has been a SHTF (personal) crisis, somehow we had exactly "enough"... not more, not less.

Even if I share with others, it won't matter. We will have enough. God has proven that to me over and over in my life, and whatever is ahead is no different.

These words are spoken by a person of true faith... I strive to be there. Many times unsuccessfully. I too wonder why I have this huge drive to prepare, and other people whom I know are true believers, do not. Why would God allow this? What I struggle with, is, am I not hearing 'Him' correctly? Then I have to take a deep breath, and tell myself what you have said in the quote above...

Thanks...

Then again... On our mission trip to the Miskitu Tribal area of Eastern Nicaragua, I struggled with bringing along too much "stuff". Was I not allowing God to provide? The group discussed it at the end of the trip, and I shared that I was upset with myself for not trusting in God's provision more... I had brought along all kinds of extra stuff, and was struggling with that... Then one of the other folks on the trip, whom I believe to be a true "man of God" patted me on the leg and said, "you are, who you are Dan, and I have two of your batteries in my flashlight." Most everyone on the trip had used something I had brought along. The leader of the trip said, "Ya know Dan, I kind of got this feeling that if we needed you to, you could have pulled enough stuff out of that back pack to build an airplane and fly us out of there." (There are no roads to the area we visited.)

LOL, who knows, maybe God is wanting ME to prepare for many people!

Dan