Would You Build a Survival Bunker if You Had the Money?

In my article for Patheos titled “Can Underground Bunkers Survive the Apocalypse?”, I discussed the features of various luxury bunkers billionaires are building today. If the super rich are buying these underground shelters, is it possible for them to survive the Apocalypse?

You can read more about the security features of these bunkers in the said article. Meanwhile, I would like to discuss another point of view in this post.

I would like to reflect upon our human tendencies regarding self-preservation, the trust we put on earthly wealth and the measure of our love for others.

Given the money, would you also buy a bunker?

One of the first questions that came to mind was whether I’d do the same thing if I had the money for it. Would I also build or buy an underground shelter for myself and my loved ones?

The truth is that I could have. If I had the money for it, why not ensure my family’s safety amidst all the possible disasters looming over our world? With our problems about the climate as well as threats of nuclear war, wouldn’t it be wonderful to have some form of refuge to turn to when the worst happens?

Perhaps it is because I could not, I had the luxury of seeing this from a certain distance, and from that distance, I could somehow feel what was wrong.

More than a survival bunker

What can come as a shock for many, especially the poor, is that there is more to these shelters than the basic amenities needed for survival.

In addition to food, water and air supply as well as the other features mentioned to protect its residents from impending disasters, these bunkers have an impressive array of facilities meant to continue an indulgent lifestyle.

Just think about an underground home with its own swimming pool, spa, gym, and movie theatres.

Some even boast of a golf course, bowling alley, climbing wall and target-shooting room.

How about having a lounge and a gallery?

For one company, your bedroom can include a huge aquarium. There will even be a space reserved for the resident’s car collection!

Our love for neighbor

Nothing is preventing us from loving ourselves and caring for our loved one’s safety. After all, we were told to love our neighbors just like we love ourselves.

But at some point, by thinking too much of ourselves, we could forget the other side of our Lord’s command. How well have we loved our neighbors?

So many people are sleeping on the streets. Countless ones can’t even save for a decent home for their family. And yet here we are talking about luxurious bunkers that could only console our own fears.

The cheapest bunker seems to cost about $1.5 and some offer a price as high as $60 million. How many people could have been offered their own homes had this been spent for others?

I am not saying that rich people never helped others. They could have spent money also assisting those in need. I just hope that this is the case because if it’s not, it would be truly sad to see people securing their place on earth without investing anything for heaven.

The rich fool

The parable about the rich fool should keep us awake and vigilant about the fleetingness of life. Because no matter how rich we may be, we don’t know how much time we still have.

Would we spend our time just thinking about what to do with our wealth? Or would we lift our eyes and think about our eternal home?

Then he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’ But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich toward God.” - Luke 12:18-21 (NRSVCE)

“Lay not up to yourselves treasures on earth: where the rust, and moth consume, and where thieves break through and steal. But lay up to yourselves treasures in heaven: where neither the rust nor moth doth consume, and where thieves do not break through, nor steal. For where thy treasure is, there is thy heart also.” - Matthew 6:19-21 (DRA)