“You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none” (Deuteronomy 28:12).
It was that type of dream to instantly rouse you from sleep. “Pharaoh had a dream: He was standing by the Nile, when out of the river there came up seven cows, sleek and fat, and they grazed among the reeds. After them, seven other cows, ugly and gaunt, came up out of the Nile and stood beside those on the riverbank. And the cows that were ugly and gaunt ate up the seven sleek, fat cows. Then Pharaoh woke up” (Gen 41:1-4). Troubled, he asked around if any could help him piece this dream’s meaning.
Fortunately among Pharaohs officials was one cupbearer who had once while in prison been helped by a certain Joseph, with a gift for dream interpretation. Once Joseph was summoned and the dream shared, before Pharaoh, he quickly surmised, “The seven good cows are seven years..The seven lean, ugly cows that came up afterward are seven years..They are seven years of famine." ( vv 26-7).
Joseph then recommended, “Egypt, “should collect all the food of these good years that are coming and store up the grain under the authority of Pharaoh, to be kept in the cities for food. This food should be held in reserve for the country, to be used during the seven years of famine that will come upon Egypt, so that the country may not be ruined by the famine” ( vv 35-7).
Not only did Pharaoh listen to a scrubby prisoner but appointed Joseph to supervise over grain stocking once Egypt experienced a bountiful harvest. When the famine finally struck, Egypt had plenty to go around, not just for her, but neighboring nations. She became a “lender to many nations and a borrower to none!”
Any of us could be blessed with a number of bountiful years. Some call those years a windfall. Yet other than borrow from Joseph principle of storing part of our harvest for the lean years, ahead, we consume all, blinded by the false belief that good times are forever. Unfortunately rare is that. At a certain point every good job comes to an end. Then comes the lean years and in no time we are grounded down to zero!
But here God gives us wisdom, always to save for the “lean years”, ahead, for lasting prosperity!
Prayer today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, through your word comes wisdom teaching us to save for lean times, so as to enjoy lasting prosperity, and I pray not to neglect such, but with your help practice saving and investing, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
Related upcoming events
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19/05/2024 - 20/05/2024 All day“The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its part were many they form one body” (2 Cor 12:12)
In the body of Christ every believer has a gift that contributes to making the church whole. There are those who are gifted at intercessory prayers. Others have been called to a pulpit ministry. Then there are those gifted at leading worship and praises. Some others have the gift of care and empathy. The gifts in the church are indeed endless.
One way to know your gift is being able to reflect on what burdens you most. For example, if you have a great feeling for people who are going through tribulations and need comfort then most probably yours is a gift of empathy and care. There are those with a burden to share the truth and theirs is the gift of teaching the Word.
When God gives us gift he also enables us. For example, one who has been gifted with praising and worshipping by singing would naturally have a way with his tongue. That one gifted with preaching has the talent to move listeners with words. God gives us gifts to build the body of believers.Do you know your gift? If so, how are you using it for the building of the church of Christ?
Prayer for today: Lord Father in heaven, today I pray that you enable me use the gifts you have given me for the building of the church,
this I pray in Jesus’ name.
