Over the past few decades, the savings rate in America has declined to an alarming level.
Crown Financial Ministries reports the savings rate reached minus 0.
4 percent in September, 2005.
It was the fourth month in a row the savings rate was negative.
It would seem that we have slipped into a position where we are a nation of consumers with no concern for tomorrow.
The Bible cautions against such an attitude.
Consider Proverbs 21:20: "In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has.
" (NIV)A wise manager does not spend more than he receives.
A foolish spender is making a gross assumption about the future--his battle cry is "let the good times roll!"Unfortunately, history is marked by times of economic uncertainty.
In fact, the book of Genesis speaks about one of those times.
Joseph--The Faithful Steward Joseph earned Pharaoh's favor as a wise manager.
Joseph understood the nation's economy operated in cycles.
Periods of great prosperity could be followed by severe shortages.
See Genesis 41:35 for Joseph's plan: "Then let them gather all the food of these good years that are coming, and store up the grain for food in the cities under Pharaoh's authority, and let them guard it.
" (NASB) When the economic downturn arrived, Joseph was ready: "When the famine was spread over all the face of the earth, then Joseph opened all the storehouses, and sold to the Egyptians; and the famine was severe in the land of Egypt.
" (Gen 41:56 NASB) The Bible has a theme that cannot be overlooked--God is sovereign, but we are responsible.
In other words, we can depend on God to do His part, but we have to do our part.
We cannot live for today and hope that tomorrow will work itself out.
If misguided hope is the only strategy, it might buy a shipwreck.
Do not operate without a margin--have a reasonable reserve for emergencies and ministry opportunities.
Like Joseph, we should use good times to prepare for bad times.
We need to have extra resources to help people in need.
If we follow God's principles, He will bless us: "The Lord will command the blessing on you in your storehouses and in all to which you set your hand, and He will bless you in the land which the Lord your God is giving you.
" (Deut 28:8 NKJV) Do you have a storehouse?Put yourself in a position to receive God's blessing! Emphasis added.
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