The following "Question" was asked by a member of the congregation at Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, and "Answered" by their pastor, John MacArthur Jr. It was transcribed by David Lee of Malaysia, from the tape GC 1301-N, titled "Bible Questions and Answers Part 16."  A copy of the tape can be obtained by writing, Word of Grace, P.O. Box 4000, Panorama City, CA 91412 or by dialing toll free 1-800-55-GRACE.  ©1981. All Rights Reserved.

Questioner

In light of the situation of today where we are seeing that Christ's return is eminent, I feel that, and we’re seeing maybe the one-world ruler coming about over there in the European Common Market. Just many things of Bible prophecy, and after reading Hal Lindsey's books and things like that. I just wanted to know what the attitude of a Christian is for the subject of food storage?

John MacArthur's Answer

Well, I will just give you a very blunt answer: I think that’s ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous. I mean I’m going to leave before the trouble anyway. But a Christian is never encouraged to stock pile stuff anyway, hoard things.

Questioner

How about Joseph when he was told to stock pile for the famine that was going to come on that land?

John MacArthur's Answer

God told him to do that. If God tells you to do that, do it. But if you hear voices from God, you can ask another question and I’ll answer that.

That really bothers me and that’s the assumption we’re going through the tribulation anyway. I don’t think that’s correct. But where do we come by faith, and I don’t want to be carried away on this point, but I think stockpiling against the future…what are you going to do? I always ask people this question when they tell me, "We’re saving, we’ve got a hole in the ground!" And I say, I've said this to several, "Well, when it happens, I’m coming over to your place. And I’m going to bring all the needy, the poor, and the hungry, and you can feed them. Ok, because that’s what the Bible says."  "Well, hmmnnn..." So, if you’re storing it up because you believe in the post-tribulation rapture, and you’re storing up to share it with the whole world, wonderful! Anything less than that is selfish.

Added to Bible Bulletin Board's "MacArthur's Questions and Answers" by:

Tony Capoccia
Bible Bulletin Board
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