The Trend Toward Homesteading: A Return to Biblical Roots

Since 2020, Homesteaders of America has witnessed a significant surge in the homesteading community. Once a common way of life, homesteading lost traction with the rise of factory farming and modern conveniences. However, the pandemic, job loss, and economic downturn have driven many back to a lifestyle of self-sufficiency.

Many Christians are returning to the roots of living off the land, embracing a slower way of simple, grounded in biblical principles found in God’s Word. The concepts of homesteading—such as traditional skills, stewardship, and the sowing and harvesting of seed-bearing plants—parallel many teachings in the Bible. In this blog, we’ll explore 10 Scripture verses that offer encouragement to the Christian homesteader.

Biblical Homesteading: 10 Bible Verses to Encourage Christians

1. Genesis 1:28 – Stewardship
“God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”
Christians are called to be stewards of the earth, ruling over the animals in the sea, sky, and land. Whether working their own property or cultivating fertile lands to procure their own food, homesteading is an act of faith and stewardship of God-given resources.

2. Genesis 2:15 – Working and Caring for the Land as a Way of Life
“The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.”
The daily work of a homesteader is more than just a job; it’s a way of life ordained by God. In tending to fruit trees, vegetable gardens, and beasts of the field, homesteaders follow in the footsteps of Adam, caring for what the Lord has entrusted to them.

3. Proverbs 27:23-27 – The Value of Caring for Your Homestead
“Know well the condition of your flocks, And pay attention to your herds; For riches are not forever, Nor does a crown endure to all generations. When the grass disappears, the new growth is seen, And the herbs of the mountains are gathered in, The lambs will be for your clothing, And the goats will bring the price of a field, And there will be goats’ milk enough for your food, For the food of your household, And sustenance for your maidens.”
Paying careful attention to the details of homestead life—whether it’s monitoring the health of livestock or assessing the readiness of herbs for gathering—ensures that the homesteader reaps the benefits of their labor. Diligence and careful stewardship of the homestead are essential for success.

4. Deuteronomy 8:7-10 – A Land of Blessing Along with Caution
“For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, flowing forth in valleys and hills; a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive oil and honey; a land where you will eat food without scarcity, in which you will not lack anything; a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills you can dig copper. When you have eaten and are satisfied, you shall bless the Lord your God for the good land which He has given you. Beware that you do not forget the Lord your God by not keeping His commandments and His ordinances and His statutes which I am commanding you today.”
Living on land with good soil and streams of water is a blessing. Any homesteader will tell you what a curse it is to find out the soil isn’t conducive to growing or that the nearby waters are contaminated. Experiencing the blessings at harvest time firsthand is a gift from God. However, verse 10 also cautions God’s people not to forget Him and His commands.

5. Proverbs 12:11 – The Reward of Hard Work and Extra Time
“He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, But he who pursues worthless things lacks sense.”
Tilling the land and weeding can be back-breaking work, with sweat beading on your brow under the sun’s heat and pests like insects and ants adding to the challenge. The work is certainly not without toil. However, the reward for this hard labor is abundant provision, whether it’s the fresh produce from your vegetable garden or a well-stocked pantry. Homesteaders recognize that the extra time and effort spent on the land bring blessings that extend far beyond material gain.

6. Psalm 104:14 – God’s Provision
“He makes grass grow for the cattle, and vegetation for the labor of man, So that he may bring forth food from the earth.”
God’s provision is evident in the living things around us. From fruit trees to beasts of the field, the homesteader sees the Lord’s hand in every part of their homestead family’s sustenance.

7. Matthew 6:31-33 – Trusting in God’s Provision Through Hard Times
“Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
At the end of the day, when we know we’ve done the best that we can do, we are to have a heart of surrender, trusting the Lord. Christian homesteaders know that trusting in God’s provision is key, especially during hard times. Whether in the second year of a crop rotation or while facing unexpected challenges, like natural disasters, the Lord provides in His proper time.

8. Acts 2:44-46 – The Blessing of Sharing
“And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart.”
In the homesteading community, sharing resources and knowledge—whether about traditional skills or helpful educational tools—creates a strong sense of unity. Just as the early church supported one another, homesteaders often come together, reflecting the love of Christ. It has been a true blessing to learn alongside other believers, whether processing chickens, serving up freshly harvested collard greens and home-canned dilly beans, or enjoying Challah bread made with freshly milled flour in a Sabbath fellowship meal.

9. Micah 4:4 – Peace and Security in Your Own Home
“Each of them will sit under his vine and under his fig tree, With no one to make them afraid, For the mouth of the Lord of hosts has spoken.”
The image of sitting under one’s own fruit trees, in the peace of your own home, is the dream of many homesteaders. It’s a vision of the Kingdom of God, a New Heaven and New Eart where peace and security reign.

10. Leviticus 25:4 – The Year of Jubilee and Rest for the Land
“But in the seventh year the land is to have a year of sabbath rest, a sabbath to the Lord. Do not sow your fields or prune your vineyards.”
The concept of giving the land a rest every seventh year, as commanded in Leviticus, is a profound principle for homesteaders. It reflects the importance of rest, not just for ourselves but for the earth that sustains us. It’s also a picture of the importance of Sabbath rest for the believer. This practice aligns with God’s design for creation, ensuring fertility and productivity for generations to come. This is a practice put into place by one of our favorite companies, Azure Standard. Linked at the end of this article is a video interview with Dave Stelzer, CEO and Founder of Azure Standard.

Concluding Thoughts

Both the Old and New Testaments offer encouragement to homesteaders in their role, instructing them on how to live a life of stewarding resources, depending on God for provision, and sharing with brothers and sisters in Christ. The homestead journey is more than just a return to the old way of doing things; it’s a way of living that aligns with the teachings of the Bible and the wisdom found in the Bible. Whether you’re just starting your journey or have spent a lot of time cultivating your land, these verses offer encouragement and direction. In all things, may your homestead be a place where God’s light shines, and His Kingdom is made known.

To join a like-minded community of believers that embrace Homesteading, Homemaking, and Homeschooling all through a Christian lens, visit us over at: Biblical Roots Homesteading & Homemaking Guide: A Vintage Virtues Community.

This article contains affiliate links. We appreciate your support of this blog—by visiting our affiliate partners and making purchases, you help cover the operating costs of the blog at no additional cost to you. For a full disclosure list of our partners and current deals, visit: Affiliate Disclosure and Current Partners List