Luke 17:33 - "Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it."
I think that most of us in this forum have a sense that the social climate, the wars, the inequality, and the impending singularity from AI is taking us in a 'certain direction' I won't expand too much on.
Hence, it seems rational to want to preserve's one life by say, embracing concepts of homesteading or a certain state of readiness in the face of potential societal collapse.
Yet, the Bible seems to tell us we should NOT isolate ourselves, we should NOT live a monastic lifestyle, and if 'something happens' - well, it happens.
This flies in the face of humans' self-preservation principles, demonstrated quite well by the countless and well-studied suicide-by-drowning attempts where people inevitably resurface as their reptile brain triggers a flight-or-fight response to promote their continued existence.
I'm not here to preach anything; let's just say I have witnessed certain things that point to certain conclusions that we could be in some form of end-time- the question is not 'is that so' -but 'should we attempt to preserve ourselves'?
What's YOUR view?
PS: I'm non-denominational, it might be helpful if you specify your denomination if any so we can better understand what the general viewpoint is on the matter.
God bless you all!
Hello brother Stephan.
When Jesus said Whoever seeks to save his life shall lose it, he really meant it. I could only say this by experience. I used to fear life, worrying about the future. I'm just poor and I live in a 3rd world country. I grew up being relatively poor. But then later got a job that pays quite well, that's considered high salary at least in my country. But then when I got converted, God made me forsake everything for his sake. To what extent?
In Acts, you'll read how people when they became Christians, they sold their lands, everything they had and laid it on the apostles feet so that they might distribute it to the poor. They cared for the widows that were widows indeed, they gave to the poor saints in Jerusalem. Then they had all things in common. They shared whatever they had and did not count anything as their own. This is the heart of being a Christian.
If you read Matthew 5-7, and Luke 13, there you will see what God requires of us to be saved. All over the bible, you'll find that trusting in riches will never save you, especially if you don't share it to those who are poor. God said that the poor will never cease in the land, therefore you should open wide your arms and give what they need.
You also might know how Jesus taught a lot about giving. Give, lend, and do not ask back and your reward shall be great in heaven. Do not store up treasures on earth but in heaven where niether moth nor rust corrupt. Give from what you have, not from what you don't have. This means being content with what you have, not trying to become rich before sharing with others. Jesus, our God, even became poor and left his kingdom to save us.
But there are plenty of promises too if you obey God. First, your salvation. If you lose your life here, you'll save it. Then you'll never lack anything even if famine hits the land. How awesome that promise is! Even rich people could suddenly become poor and they have no promises to hold on to because they did not obey God who owns all riches.
That's the theme of the New Testament actually. Being a Christian is married to death, poverty, and sacrifices. But there is great reward in heaven. And you are safe from fear of whatever could happen. Even the economy collapsing. Because God owns everything and he takes care of his saints. I won't say this without having experienced it myself. I'd be a hypocrite. God has always been faithful in providing for me even in uncertain times.
I don't have a denomination too by the way if that's a concern. The word of God is everything to me. Also, Jesus said whoever does not forsake and lose his life on earth is not worthy for his kingdom. That's salvation itself. Jesus said, What profit is it if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? What can you give in exchange for your own soul? Again, Jesus meant it when he said it. Not just for the very rich or what we consider rich, but even a poor person could be greedy and would not share to the needy and would save for his own.
Psalm 112:5-7,9 KJV
A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion. [6] Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance. [7] He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord. [9] He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour.
Psalm 37:19,21,26,28 KJV
They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied. [21] The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth. [26] He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed. [28] For the Lord loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.
There's too many verses about your concern. I could share more if you'd like but you're probably familiar with them already anyway.
