Many various scriptures start going through my head when I think of stockpiling:
'take no thought of what shall I eat or what shall I drink or where withall shall I clothe myself..........' =the importance of faith in diversity, the providence of God in times of need.
'sell what you have and buy a sword....' be prepared for defense, protection.
'bring your tithe into the storehouse that there may be food for my people...' is the church supposed to be a place also of protection, of provision, of ministering to the needs with in the community in times of trouble?
and the story of the ant and the slothful sluggard.
and more, (this would make a good study perhaps?)
I don't think that prepartation for times of trouble is a lack of faith, if it is within ones means. There are many things which can occur which cause disrruption from our normal daily life: hurricaines, floods, tornadoes, snow storms, power outages, earthquakes, possibilities of food crop failures, possiblities of fuel shortages limiting the transport of food and supplies, possiblities of disease out breaks and quarrantines or limitations of movement resulting from impacts on areas............ and the desparation of people who, in general, have been raised in a godless society and have no conscience or discipline (and no faith) to control themselves from seizing provisions which they want or need.
I store what I can, thinking if a disaster hits.... here it typically is a hurricaine, there will be provisions enough to live through stablization and restoration of food, and utilities, and travel. Also, I hope, there will be sufficient to share, if there are unmet needs in the community or the church.
I do believe we are living in the end of times.... but how long that will be only God really knows. He, alone, knows how difficult it may get. It may be that all the preparations in the world would not 'save' one from perilous times..... It may be, that one saves, and another is heir to the provisions left behind. In the event of nuclear war or civil unrest, ones' provisions may be burnt up, or confiscated, or left for survivors.
Whatever the future, I know and encourage, build up faith in and dependance on God first and foremost. He who saved us is our provider. Beware of any fear that is not founded in awe of God: What we fear, we serve, we obey, we do what we can to protect ourselves from: Fear is an emotion which springs into actions of worship. God has said to place no other gods before him, so we must be on guard that any fear which arises in us is redirected and consumed by our trust in God.
Whatever I've said herein, let it not discourage you from seeking God's will and following the direction in which he leads you. All these other words are just words and my impression. (And, yes, I'm inclined to believe Christians will be living, however easy or difficult I cannot say, but living through the start of the tribulation, and face persecutions, and taken out before the Wrath of the LORD is poured out.)
