Why some Christians are against physical survival preparations

There are a fair number of Christian believers that believe physical survival preparations are somehow synonymous with a "lack of faith" in God! I argue that the opposite is the truth. When we physically prepare for any number of possible future contingencies, we do so as a testament to our faith in the Lord our God. 

Christians who are anti-survival prep in their orientation often cite Luke 9:23-24 to support their position. The verses read as follows:

²³ Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. ²⁴ For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. (NIV)

Thus, the liberal argument is essentially that those (survivalists) who want to "save their life" (i.e., via physical preparations) will lose their life. However, those who lose their lives (i.e., perhaps as a martyr in Christ's name) will be saved. 

I contend that the liberal interpretation is partially correct, and also partially incorrect. 

Certainly, those survivalists who are otherwise antichristian in their beliefs and who revel in their sins may have all of the underground bunkers and survival items that they could ever want and afford, and those people will certainly not be able to survive. Either they will survive in this world, and will then be caste into hell by God's 2nd (and final) judgment, or they will (somehow) meet their demise (in this world), and then also face God's 2nd and final judgment. Either way, those not right with God will die eternally at the 2nd judgment. That is a promise written in Revelation 20. 

Verses 23 and 24 essentially refer to the concept of "discipleship" which means saying "no" to oneself, and "putting to death" one's sinful desires and following Christ. So, when Jesus said "whoever wants to save their life," this would mean those who want to preserve the "sinful" aspects of one's life; not those who want to preserve their life on this earth and in this life so that they may continue the mission of Jesus, which is to essentially spread the gospel!!

Looked at from this perspective, it seems preposterous then to say that physical survival preparations are indicative of a "lack of faith" in God! He expects us to think for ourselves. We are to "act in faith" and God then leads and directs us as we take those actions in alignment with His objectives!

Physically prepare so that you may live as long as you can in this "vail of tears" so that you can do God's work...whatever that may be in your life!