Whether it’s stocking up for the winter or preparing for the future, storing food is something many people think about. The Bible speaks to this practice, providing examples of wise preparation, but also reminding us not to place our trust solely in material things.
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What Does The Bible Say About Storing Food
Proverbs 6:8
“Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.”
This verse encourages us to learn from the ant’s example of diligently storing food for the future. Just as the ant prepares for seasons of scarcity, we should also be wise and proactive in storing provisions when they are abundant, so that we are prepared for times of need.
Proverbs 10:5
“He who gathers crops in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of taking action and being diligent in gathering resources when they are available. Failing to do so is seen as irresponsible and brings disgrace. It encourages us to seize opportunities and make preparations for the future.
Proverbs 21:20
“The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down.”
This verse highlights the distinction between the wise and the foolish. The wise are intentional in storing up precious resources, such as choice food and olive oil, while the foolish consume everything without considering the future. It reminds us to exercise self-control and plan ahead for uncertain times.
Genesis 41:35
“They should collect all the food of these good years that are coming and store up the grain under the authority of Pharaoh, to be kept in the cities for food.”
This verse narrates Joseph’s wise counsel to Pharaoh in Egypt during a time of abundance, advising him to gather and store food during plentiful years in preparation for famine. It illustrates the importance of foresight and preparation, as well as the benefits of having stored provisions during times of scarcity.
Esther 2:23
“When the report was investigated and found to be true, the two officials were impaled on poles. All this was recorded in the book of the annals in the presence of the king.”
This verse may seem unrelated, but it serves as a reminder of the importance of keeping records. Just as the events were accurately recorded in the book of annals, it is wise for us to keep records of our stored food, ensuring organization and accountability in our preparations.
Proverbs 13:4
“A sluggard’s appetite is never filled, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.”
This verse contrasts the laziness of the sluggard with the diligence of the hard worker. It emphasizes that those who are diligent and proactive in their preparations will experience full satisfaction, while the lazy will always have unfulfilled desires. It serves as a motivation to take action and be diligent in storing food.
Proverbs 27:27
“You will have plenty of goats’ milk to feed your family and to nourish your female servants.”
This verse specifically mentions goats’ milk as a source of nourishment for the family and servants. It implies the importance of having a sustainable source of food, even beyond the immediate needs of one’s family. It suggests that stored resources should be sufficient to provide for those under our care.
Isaiah 65:13
“Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: ‘My servants will eat, but you will go hungry; my servants will drink, but you will go thirsty; my servants will rejoice, but you will be put to shame.’
This verse portrays a contrast between the provision enjoyed by God’s faithful servants and the lack experienced by those who reject Him. It reveals that God takes care of His servants, ensuring that their needs are met even in times of scarcity. It motivates us to store food as an act of trust and obedience, knowing that God will provide for His faithful children.
Proverbs 30:8-9
“Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.”
In this passage, the author prays for God’s provision of daily bread and asks to be kept from extremes of poverty or wealth. It expresses the desire for moderation and acknowledges that both extreme scarcity and abundance can lead to spiritual pitfalls. It serves as a reminder that our focus should be on God and His provision, rather than on the accumulation of excess.
Deuteronomy 8:3
“He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.”
This verse recalls God’s provision of manna to the Israelites in the wilderness. It reminds us that our sustenance ultimately comes from God and that our reliance on Him should extend to more than just physical food. While storing food is important, it is crucial to remember that true sustenance comes from a relationship with God and obedience to His word.
Proverbs 12:11
“Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense.”
This verse highlights the value of hard work and responsible stewardship. It states that those who diligently cultivate and care for their land will enjoy an abundance of food, while those who are idle and pursue unrealistic dreams will lack sense and sustenance. It encourages us to take practical actions to ensure our own provision.
Proverbs 30:24-25
“Four things on earth are small, yet they are extremely wise: Ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer.”
This passage exalts the wisdom of ants, despite their small size and limited strength. By storing up food during the summer, they demonstrate an understanding of the need to prepare for the future. It serves as a reminder that wisdom does not always come from the most powerful or influential sources, but from those who possess foresight and prudence.
Matthew 6:25-26
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?”
In this passage, Jesus instructs us not to worry about our basic needs, such as food and clothing. He points to the example of birds, who do not store food but are continually provided for by God. It reminds us of God’s faithfulness and the assurance that He will take care of our needs, encouraging us to trust in Him rather than solely relying on our own provisions.
Psalm 37:19
“In times of disaster they will not wither; in days of famine they will enjoy plenty.”
This verse assures God’s faithful followers that they will be sustained even in times of disaster and famine. It reflects God’s promise to provide for His people and reminds us of the importance of storing food as a means of ensuring our own well-being and the ability to help others during challenging times.
1 Timothy 5:8
“Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”
This verse emphasizes the responsibility of providing for one’s family, highlighting that neglecting this duty is a denial of faith. It underlines the importance of storing food to care for those under our care, as failing to do so is seen as a failure to live out our Christian beliefs.
Proverbs 19:15
“Laziness brings on deep sleep, and the shiftless go hungry.”
This verse warns against laziness and idleness, affirming that those who are slothful will experience hunger. It emphasizes the need to be diligent and proactive in gathering and storing food as a means of avoiding hunger and ensuring our own well-being.
Proverbs 16:3
“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.”
This verse encourages us to surrender our plans and endeavors to the Lord, acknowledging His authority and seeking His guidance. It implies that even in our efforts to store food and make preparations, we should do so with an attitude of dependence on God, knowing that He ultimately determines the outcomes of our plans.
Luke 12:24
“Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!”
Similar to Matthew 6:25-26, this verse draws our attention to the provision that God extends to birds, highlighting that if God cares for these creatures, He surely cares even more for His human children. It reassures us of God’s faithfulness and encourages us to trust in His provision, even as we make practical preparations like storing food.
Proverbs 30:15
“The leech has two daughters. ‘Give! Give!’ they cry. There are three things that are never satisfied, four that never say, ‘Enough!’:”
This verse uses a metaphor to depict insatiable greed and desire. It warns against constantly wanting more and never being satisfied. While it does not directly reference storing food, it indirectly suggests that we should be wise in our preparations, ensuring that we have enough to sustain us without falling into the trap of unending consumption.
Proverbs 3:9-10
“Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.”
This verse encourages us to honor God with our wealth and resources, recognizing Him as the ultimate provider. In return, it promises abundance and blessings in various forms, including the filling of our barns with provisions. It motivates us to live a life of generosity and stewardship, which includes storing food as an act of honoring God.
James 2:15-16
“Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?”
This verse emphasizes the importance of not only offering verbal blessings but also taking practical actions to meet the physical needs of others. It challenges us to consider the well-being of those who may lack food and suggests that storing food enables us to be a source of support and provision to those in need.
Genesis 41:48
“Joseph collected all the food produced in those seven years of abundance in Egypt and stored it in the cities. In each city he put the food grown in the fields surrounding it.”
This verse recounts the actions of Joseph during a time of abundance, as he collected and stored food throughout Egypt. It highlights the importance of organizing and centralizing stored resources, ensuring accessibility and distribution. It serves as a practical example of how to effectively store food in preparation for times of scarcity.
Nehemiah 10:37
“Moreover, we will bring to the storerooms of the house of our God, to the priests, the first of our ground meal, of our grain offerings, of the fruit of all our trees and of our new wine and olive oil. And we will bring a tithe of our crops to the Levites, for it is the Levites who collect the tithes in all the towns where we work.”
This verse showcases the practice of storing food as an act of obedience and worship. It demonstrates the Israelites’ commitment to bring offerings and tithes of their crops, including the firstfruits, to the priests and Levites in the storerooms of the house of God. It inspires us to store food not only for our own needs but also for the purpose of giving and supporting the work of God.