Except for some narrow aisles, every cubic inch of my neighbor's garage was packed. The floor-to-ceiling shelves held barrels, bottles, boxes, and cans of grains, fruits, water, vitamins, first aid kits, over-the-counter medicines, camp stoves, cots, toilet paper, and every other kind of thing you might need.
When I asked my neighbor—a serious guy, a scientist in fact—what this was all about, he handed me a well-thumbed paperback copy of Howard Ruff's How to Prosper in the Coming Bad Years.
The book was filled with lots of convincing information supporting Mr. Ruff's contention that we were on the cusp of global meltdown. Not the end of civilization, exactly, but close enough that we would all want to have our garages filled with survival necessities—at least until order was restored.
The year was 1982.
As you no doubt have noticed, we're still here. Sure, there were some bad years. Those were followed by some good years. And those were followed by some bad ones. And then more good ones. Our local, state, national, and global economies have been up and they've been down, but never entirely out. Now, I'm not downplaying the very real possibility of economic bad times. I, too, believe in being prepared. I just have a somewhat different definition of "prepared" than my neighbor did.
But he did get something right.
My neighbor was employing the "Joseph Model" of preparedness: store up during the fat years because the lean years are coming. It's the model we use when we add to our savings accounts, when we invest some of our paychecks so we can retire someday, when we lay in a supply of tissues in preparation for allergy season. When you've got it, save some. It worked for Joseph and it will work for anyone who can do the same.
Elsewhere in scripture, we learn that for about four decades God provided the daily needs of the Israelites while He forced them to wander in the wilderness. Manna was the central nutrient. They arose early each morning, five days a week, and gathered the coming day's bread. Each day’s manna had to be eaten that same day. On the sixth day, they received a double portion so they could prepare the Sabbath meals before sundown.
Then, one day, it came to a stop.
In this week's scripture from the book of Joshua, we learn that "The manna ceased on the day they ate the produce of the land, and the Israelites no longer had manna; they ate the crops of the land of Canaan that year." On the very day they no longer had need of it, God's provision of manna ended. But don't misunderstand this scripture: God's provision did not end, just the provision of manna. When God brought them into the abundant harvest awaiting them in the Promised Land, there was no longer a need for manna.
My neighbor was not wrong to stockpile in his attempt to ensure the safety and security of his family. His actions did not indicate a lack of faith. Out of his abundance, he set aside what he thought would be needed. And even though society did not come apart at the seams, his storehouse may have supported his family through any number of other crises. Based on the information he had available, he was being prudent. Joseph would approve.
God provided the manna to the Israelites in the wilderness, and God provided the abundance of the Promised Land. We don't always need a miracle. Usually, we just need to recognize that God is providing and not get too hung up on the provision itself. And if in abundant times we set aside some of the abundance to get ready for leaner times—well, that's in the Bible, too.
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PHOTO: Steve Orr
Download CDCs Zombie Apocalypse Guidelines:
https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/6023
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We have abundance every Friday morning at DaySpring’s Lectionary Breakfast. Join us on Zoom** and at Our Breakfast Place. Starting at 8:00, we spend an hour enjoying food, fellowship, the Bible, and—quite often—an overabundance of laughter.
No zombies expected.
**Zoom link (Zoom allows you to mute the camera and the microphone if you don’t wish to be seen or heard.)
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89947678414
Psalm 32
2 Corinthians 5:16-21
Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32
Fourth Sunday in Lent (March 30, 2025)
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