Amazing insight from Enola Gay, once again. As a Christian, I’ve often wrestled over storing up provisions, not just for my own family, but for charity to help others in need. It’s not that I don’t want to help others. I’ve just struggled over what to do about others who didn’t take the time to prepare ahead of time. Am I supposed to just freely “give?” Could that make me a magnet for over-eager “needy” people who learn quickly that they can come to me for help, repeatedly, and potentially telling their friends and loved-ones about their newly-discovered source for handouts? That could deplete my provisions in no time. I’ve resolved to never give “till it hurts” my own family — the family God has blessed me with and for whom I am ultimately responsible. And that means not only for feeding them and providing for them, but for protecting them from harm. Enola addresses this dilemma from a Biblical point of view, which makes it sound TEOTWAWKI economic policy as far as I’m concerned.
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A lot has been written about charity during a time of crisis. Most of us believe in storing extra, with the express purpose of sharing our subsistence in times of trouble. Many have put food and equipment away for family members that don’t yet see a need. Others make it a habit to stock extra supplies for whoever they may encounter. But where does charity end and TEOTWAWKI Economics begin?Recently, as I was making my way through Genesis, I found the answers to the questions of TEOTWAWKI Economics …
Read her wonderfully done analysis and commentary of Genesis 47:14-21
… Realizing that the economies of a post-TEOTWAWKI world will be greatly changed from our current economies, we should be spurred into action. Prepare yourself not only to survive the coming storm, but to meet the new world with wisdom and understanding. Supply your larder with food, your magazine with ammunition and your mind with understanding. Only then will you truly grasp the impact of TEOTWAWKI Economics.
Read the full article by clicking HERE
She sure is using the gifts and talents the Lord gave her.
I think Enola Gay’s quotes from scripture showing that it is reasonable to expect those that are hungry to trade for food if they have the means, rather than automatic charity, are interesting. I don’t disagree. The problem which is left unresolved is that if those that are hungry have nothing to trade with, and their labor is either not adequate or not needed. Thinking about our current Western society put into a TEOTWAWKI situation, most folks have no skills that are useful, and most are unfit to do hard physical labor. At some point, it will come down to turning people away and making your decision stick with the barrel of a gun.
This is such a tough one to deal with. Some decisions, you have to make now. Some, you can’t possibly make until the moment. And some, you THINK you know how you’ll deal with it and the reality plays out nothing like how you envisioned it and all your presuppositions are dislocated. That’s when you’re back to square one. Enola Gay is right. And Bear is right. … all depending on the tactical situation and your assessment of the socio-economic climate. Sometimes barter might work. Sometimes straight up charity is the right thing to do. Sometimes a firm refusal to assist may be the right solution. And sometimes it comes down to a show or demonstration of force to convince them that you are ‘Closed for Business’ and will not be forced to engage in commerce with them.
Final answer… “It depends.” IMHO
Most Americans’ conception of charity has been warped through our social welfare state. It is important to go back to the Scriptures to see how God intended charity to function. Charity is for the truly helpless. There is much written in the Bible about the care of widows and orphans, who were considered truly helpless. Most people on food stamps, receiving unemployment benefits for months at a time, on the WIC program, and receiving other freebies from the federal government are not truly helpless and should not be shown open-ended charity. Even the apostle Paul worked for his room & board when he was visiting churches, so that he would not be a burden on anyone.
As one who is blessed with relatives who do not share the preparedness message it has been difficult to cope with family indifference and apathy. Particularly difficult is the Christian community’s sometimes antagonistic position regarding what they call “nationalism” as they believe it leads someplace the gospel should not go. Seems even the evangelical community is infected with the internationalist message and skepticism regarding our country’s place in history. What to do? I guess we should cheerfully prepare for our loved ones and strangers showing up at our homestead begging and full of apology but at times it is hard to bear the ridicule that Noah bore with God given grace.