Embracing Homesteading: A Biblical Perspective on Life Skills, Community, and Nourishment
Homesteading is more than just a lifestyle; it’s a fulfilling journey that intertwines with our faith and values. Through a biblical lens, homesteading embodies principles of stewardship, community service, and the commitment to nurturing our families and the environment. This comprehensive guide will explore motivation, essential life skills, preparedness, and how each family’s unique homesteading journey contributes to a nurturing atmosphere of teamwork, hard work, and self-motivation.
The Biblical Foundation of Homesteading
Stewardship and Responsibility
Homesteading is rooted in the biblical concept of stewardship. In Genesis 2:15 (KJV), we read, “And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.” This indicates the very purpose for our creation: to nurture and care for creation applies to modern homesteaders as we manage our resources wisely, cultivate the land, and create environments where families can thrive.
Community and Service
Homesteading encompasses the idea of building a community and putting that community above ourselves through service, which is deeply embedded in biblical teachings. Galatians 5:13 (KJV) encourages us to “By love serve one another.” As we grow food and share our skills, we contribute to the well-being of our neighbors and fulfill our calling to love and support those around us. In my mind, homesteading is not about being self sufficient- that’s nearly impossible to achieve 100%. But rather, homesteading is about a community that can share one another’s burdens!
Motivation: The Heart of Homesteading
Finding Your Why
Identifying your motivations for homesteading is crucial. Are you seeking sustainability? A reconnection with nature? A desire to provide healthier food for your family? Grounding your journey in a clear purpose will help sustain you through challenges. If you don’t know why you’re doing it, when things get hard, you won’t have the drive to continue. And trust me, things will get hard on the homestead.
The Bible offers stories of perseverance that inspire our homesteading efforts. Nehemiah’s determination to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, despite opposition, serves as a reminder to stay committed to our homesteading goals, even when faced with obstacles. When tragedy strikes, we fight back and rebuild.
Essential Life Skills for Homesteading
Gardening and Food Preservation
Growing your own food is one of the most rewarding aspects of homesteading. Learning to garden provides fresh produce and connects you to nature’s cycles. Start with easy-to-grow vegetables like tomatoes and zucchini, and expand as you gain confidence. Humans were made to work with our hands. There a special satisfaction that comes from the physicality of working with our hands. To touch, feel, move, manipulate, create is part of our Creator’s design. To manage life, to steward a garden and livestock well, and yet know that every breath, every fruit, depends fully upon the Lord, reminds us of our own insignificance in the grand scheme of things. And yet, God cares for us and regards each of us enough to bear our burdens.
Food preservation is equally important. Canning, freezing, and dehydrating your harvest ensure that your family enjoys nutritious meals throughout the year. Proverbs 31:25 (KJV) reminds us, “Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come,” emphasizing the importance of preparation. There is a seasonality to growing and reserving food. The Lord created the seasons and set the world into motion for a reason. There is a time to sow, a time to water, a time to harvest and a time to rest. In the hustle and bustle of our modern world and the pursuit of the American Dream, we have lost our seasonality. The homestead brings us back into the natural rhythm.
Animal Husbandry
Raising animals offers nourishment and valuable life skills. Chickens, goats, and bees are great starting points. These animals produce eggs, milk, and honey while teaching responsibility and care. Caring for animals fosters empathy and reflects Christ’s love. Each animal was created by God with a place and purpose. The glory of each animal is a reflection of God’s masterful design that brings millions of moving arts together into a cohesive creation.
The cow munches grass nonstop- turning sunlight and water into protein through the digestion of grass. She leaves manure behind to increase the organic matter and fertility of the land. The chicken, duck, turkey- they scratch and lightly till the earth, alleviating pest pressure by eating flies and other bugs. The pigs, when allowed to be their truest self, plow the ground by turning over the soil. They add oxygen to the soil environment and expose dormant seeds that will grow into a diverse pastureland. Watching animals do this work as if it is the only thing that they would ever want to do is a true expression of their creation. They have an intelligent creator and He gives us a glimpse of His glory in every little detail- even the chickens scratching and the pigs rooting around.
Cooking from Scratch
Cooking from scratch is crucial in homesteading. It allows you to control ingredients, ensuring healthier meals for your family. This practice opens the door for creativity, enabling you to experiment with flavors and create delightful culinary experiences. Time spent in the kitchen should be filled with love and care. It’s not about necessity or convenience, but more about the experience. The creative outlet of exploring flavors and texture, matching up flavor profiles, and the excitement of sharing it with those that you love- that can’t be replicated.
Preparedness: Building a Resilient Lifestyle
Emergency Preparedness
Preparedness is a key component of homesteading. Develop plans for potential emergencies—natural disasters, economic downturns, and more. We see more and more every day that teh unexpected can happen in a moment. A hurricane can destroy a mountainous state; a trucker’s strike can shut down the supply chain to grocery stores; a biolab explosion can contaminate drinking water for miles.
Start by creating a food storage plan. Stock non-perishable items, learn to can seasonal produce, and establish backup power sources. These preparations ensure your family’s safety and enable you to serve others in need. You and your family will have to determine exactly how far ahead you want to prepare. This can be a wonderful oportunity for building relationships and memories. Turn it into a homeschool project!
Financial Preparedness
Developing a budget that reflects your homesteading goals is vital. Minimize costs through DIY projects and resourcefulness. Proverbs 21:20 (KJV) states, “There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up,” reminding us to be prudent with our resources. Budgeting is a wonderful skill for anyone in anyone situation, but on the homestead you will find ample opportunity to practice flexibility and patience in your finances.
Serving Others: The Heart of Community
Building Community Connections
Homesteading provides a unique opportunity to cultivate community relationships. Share your harvest with neighbors or participate in local farmers’ markets, reflecting the biblical command to “love thy neighbor as thyself” (Mark 12:31, KJV).
Discipling Through Service
Homesteading can serve as a platform for discipleship. Open your home to share skills, creating opportunities for meaningful conversations about faith and life. Encourage children and young adults in your community to learn homesteading skills, instilling values of hard work and compassion. When it comes to discipleship, you cannot just tell people what to do. You must show them. You must live it.
The homestead is the perfect opportunity to practice what you preach. Every aspect of life on a homestead offers spiritual training ground. So much of the Bible is based on the workings of an agrarian culture. The metaphors, types, themes, parables consistently center around agriculture. If it’s good enough for scripture, it is certainly good enough to train our children and make disciples.
Feeding Your Family: Nourishing Body and Soul
The Importance of Nutrition
At the heart of homesteading is the desire to provide nourishing food for our families. Growing your fruits and vegetables allows you to control meal ingredients, ensuring optimal nutrition. Our modern commercialized farming system has ignored basic biology for so long and has turned to industrialization. What once was a field of faith and determination is now a scientific process with no need to rely on the Lord! We can take back our own little corner of the farming world and grow our food with sustainable, regenerative practices that care for the earth while feeding our family.
In 1 Corinthians 10:31 (KJV), we are reminded, “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” Preparing and sharing meals fosters an environment where families can connect and grow together.
Family Meals: Building Connections
Make mealtime a cherished experience. Gather around the table, share stories, and express gratitude for your food. This practice strengthens family bonds and creates an atmosphere of love. Involve children in meal preparation to teach them the value of food and the effort involved in growing it. If you find that your table is too small, build a bigger table. We will say this over and over again. Build a bigger table. Bring in more disciples to be a part of your home and life. Teach them to love and serve and follow the Lord. Make that connection to tie heart strings together and build the bold of unity.
Homesteading is Unique for Each Family
Individual Family Needs and Goals
Every homesteader’s journey is distinct, shaped by individual family dynamics, resources, and goals. What works for one family may not resonate with another, highlighting the beauty of homesteading. Some may stand firm on a specific definition of homesteading, excluding certain people or situations. I reject this idea. Homesteading has taken on a new meaning in recent years- it’s about community, family, building.
Consider your family’s skills and interests. Perhaps one member enjoys gardening while another excels in woodworking. Utilize these unique talents to create a harmonious and efficient homesteading experience. If you don’t have much property, grow a patio garden. If you live in town, practice all the skills that you can. Learn to preserve food from the farmers market. Start sewing handmade home decor. Switch over the raw milk or fresh milled flour. Build your skills, no matter your situation. Become resilient! One day, you may put those skills to work on a large scale.
Flexibility and Adaptation
Remain open to adapting your approach as you embark on your homesteading journey. Life circumstances change, and it’s essential to be flexible. Your homestead may evolve as your children grow or as you discover new interests.
The story of the Israelites in the wilderness illustrates the importance of adaptability. They relied on God’s provision and adjusted their plans accordingly. In homesteading, we, too, can trust in God’s guidance as we navigate our unique paths.
Personal Growth Through Homesteading
Homesteading is a journey of personal growth. As you learn new skills and face challenges, you’ll discover more about yourself. Embrace the lessons learned along the way as opportunities for spiritual and emotional development.
Reflecting on your experiences helps build resilience and character. Proverbs 27:17 (KJV) states, “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.” Engage with other homesteaders to share insights and encouragement, fostering a supportive community.
Integrating a Go-Kart Business into Our Homestead
A Unique Approach to Funding
In our homestead, we have found that integrating our online go-kart business creatively funds our agricultural endeavors. Go Karts may seem frivolous or even counterproductive to the goals of homestead. But for our family, the business not only generates income but also provides a fun and engaging activity for our family. This venture supports our desire to work with our children and encourage an entrepreneurial spirit while sharing joy and excitement with others.
Building a Family Enterprise
Running a go-kart business strengthens our family bond and instills teamwork and responsibility. Each family member plays a role—whether managing logistics, maintaining the karts, or interacting with customers. This collaborative effort teaches essential life skills and reinforces the importance of working together toward a common goal.
Community Engagement
Our go-kart business has opened doors for community engagement. We hope to even host events and gatherings that bring families together, creating opportunities for fellowship and connection. By fostering relationships through this venture, we can further serve our community and build a support network.
The End Goal: A Family of Teamwork, Hard Work, and Self-Motivation
Raising a Team-Oriented Family
At the heart of our homesteading journey is the desire to raise a family that values teamwork, hard work, and self-motivation. These principles are essential for success in any endeavor, whether in homesteading or beyond.
Encourage your children to take on responsibilities and contribute to the homestead. Whether tending to the garden, caring for animals, or helping with household chores, these tasks instill a strong work ethic and sense of accountability.
Building a Legacy of Faith and Community
Ultimately, our goal is to build a legacy of faith, hard work, and community service. Homesteading offers the perfect backdrop for instilling these values in our children, preparing them to face life’s challenges with confidence and grace.
By fostering an atmosphere of teamwork and service, we create opportunities for discipleship and personal growth, not only for our family but also for those around us. As we nurture our homestead, we also nurture our community, fulfilling our calling to serve others and glorify God through our efforts.
Homesteading is a unique journey that reflects individual family dynamics and values. By incorporating biblical principles, essential life skills, and community service, we can create a nurturing environment that empowers our families to thrive. Whether you’re just starting your homesteading journey or looking to deepen your practice, remember that every step taken is a testament to your commitment to stewardship, service, and faith.
