Recently, I’ve been reading through the book of Genesis with my daughter, Hannah. I’ve been trying to read the book through my daughter’s eyes. Since she is eight (and a girl), it’s a bit of stretch for me. Recently, we read about Joseph, the son of Jacob, and learned some valuable lessons. One lesson in particular was the importance of saving. I often call the discipline of saving “The Joseph Principle.” If you don’t know the story of Joseph, I highly recommend you read it beginning in Genesis 37. After a series of bad events, Joseph was ultimately put in charge of Egypt.
The reason Pharaoh placed Joseph in charge of Egypt was because of the wisdom he displayed when Pharaoh needed to have his dreams interpreted. You see, as we see in Genesis 41:17-24, Pharaoh was having some odd dreams:
So Pharaoh told him the dream. "I was standing on the bank of the Nile River," he said. "Suddenly, seven fat, healthy-looking cows came up out of the river and began grazing along its bank. But then seven other cows came up from the river. They were very thin and gaunt-in fact, I've never seen such ugly animals in all the land of Egypt. These thin, ugly cows ate up the seven fat ones that had come out of the river first, but afterward they were still as ugly and gaunt as before! Then I woke up. A little later I had another dream. This time there were seven heads of grain on one stalk, and all seven heads were plump and full. Then out of the same stalk came seven withered heads, shriveled by the east wind. And the withered heads swallowed up the plump ones! I told these dreams to my magicians, but not one of them could tell me what they mean."
Pharaoh asked everyone but God to help him interpret the dreams. No one could help, until Joseph came as an agent for God and was able to interpret Pharaoh’s dreams. Joseph told Pharaoh the seven healthy cows (think angus beef) represented seven years of harvest. The seven gaunt cows (probably the kind of cows they use to make Steakums) represented seven years of famine.
This is a great reminder that economic cycles have been going on for thousands of years and are actually normal. Economies go up and they go down. We’ve seen this here in the United States. In the past 70 years, the US has had 12 recessions averaging about 10 months each. In the past 70 years, there have been 840 months. About 120 of those months were spent in recession. In the other 720 months, the economy grew.
So, Joseph knew Egypt was in the midst of an economic boom (part of the economic cycle). Joseph told Pharaoh that for the next seven years they should save one fifth (20%) of the harvest of Egypt during the seven years of abundance. This way, when the famine came they would have enough food to survive the coming famine. The plan worked to perfection.
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This is really good God gave Joseph the insight about the economic situation and I believe he will give us the same insight so we will not what to do and not to do
Joseph, when introduced to Pharaoh, gives honour to God. We cannot be sure that tomorrow shall be as this day, or next year as this. We must learn how to want, as well as how to abound. Mark the goodness of God in sending the seven years of plenty before those of famine, that provision might be made. The produce of the earth is sometimes more, and sometimes less; yet, take one with another, he that gathers much, has nothing over; and he that gathers little, has no lack, Ex 16:18. And see the perishing nature of our worldly enjoyments. The great harvests of the years of plenty were quite lost, and swallowed up in the years of famine; and that which seemed very much, yet did but just serve to keep the people alive. There is bread which lasts to eternal life, which it is worth while to labour for.
Amen Renee,the best financial advisor is the one who gives you the power to get wealth riches.When we do it God's Way, there's only one outcome, and that's the road to success.
wealth and finance.you can't go wrong when you do it God's Way, and his way is always the road to success.
I agree Sister Jaqueline , we must seek God all the time not only when in need. and yes I agree that we should establish a relationship with our Lord so that the financial principles will be manifested in our life. and soooo true that our God is sooo patient , he is the same , today and tomorrow .
Jacqueline Jones said:
When there is a situation, people have a tendency to always look everywhere but to God for the answers. God seems to always patiently sit and wait for man to come to him. He always have someone ready to proclaim, produce and declare the strategies necessary to bring people out. God will always provide a way out if we remain faithful. He established financial principles through out the word, if we heed to them then we will always be blessed.
When there is a situation, people have a tendency to always look everywhere but to God for the answers. God seems to always patiently sit and wait for man to come to him. He always have someone ready to proclaim, produce and declare the strategies necessary to bring people out. God will always provide a way out if we remain faithful. He established financial principles through out the word, if we heed to them then we will always be blessed.
WHAT GOD HAS FOR US, WE WILL GET IF WE STAY FAITHFUL AND FOCUSED(OBEDIENT) NOTICE HOW PHARAOH ASKED EVERYONE BUT GOD, THAT WAS THE PURPOSE OF JOSEPH GOING THROUGH ALL THAT HE WENT THROUGH AND STAYING OBEDIENT AND FOCUSED ON HIS GOD GIVEN MISSION. HE PASSED EVERY TEST AND RECIEVED ALL THAT GOD HAD PROMISED HIM AND MORE....GENESIS 50:20"AS FOR U, U MEANT EVIL AGAINST ME; BUT GOD MEANT IT FOR GOOD..."STAYING BEFORE THE THRONE...BEING LEAD BY GOD IN EVERYTHING WE DO...FAITH IS........
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This is really good God gave Joseph the insight about the economic situation and I believe he will give us the same insight so we will not what to do and not to do
Know this reading was really detrimental to my prosperity on all levels. I really need to learn how to save. What a concept "Joseph Principle"??!!!
I really need to do this!!!AMEN AMEN AAGGAAPPEE!!:):)
wealth and finance.you can't go wrong when you do it God's Way, and his way is always the road to success.
yes , he is amen and amen .he is the Sovereign and faithful. he is our shield and protector .
Renee Fairley said:
I agree Sister Jaqueline , we must seek God all the time not only when in need. and yes I agree that we should establish a relationship with our Lord so that the financial principles will be manifested in our life. and soooo true that our God is sooo patient , he is the same , today and tomorrow .
Jacqueline Jones said:
When there is a situation, people have a tendency to always look everywhere but to God for the answers. God seems to always patiently sit and wait for man to come to him. He always have someone ready to proclaim, produce and declare the strategies necessary to bring people out. God will always provide a way out if we remain faithful. He established financial principles through out the word, if we heed to them then we will always be blessed.
That is also one of the economic principles save part of what you earn. If I remember right. Invest,save,tithe each 10%.
WHAT GOD HAS FOR US, WE WILL GET IF WE STAY FAITHFUL AND FOCUSED(OBEDIENT) NOTICE HOW PHARAOH ASKED EVERYONE BUT GOD, THAT WAS THE PURPOSE OF JOSEPH GOING THROUGH ALL THAT HE WENT THROUGH AND STAYING OBEDIENT AND FOCUSED ON HIS GOD GIVEN MISSION. HE PASSED EVERY TEST AND RECIEVED ALL THAT GOD HAD PROMISED HIM AND MORE....GENESIS 50:20"AS FOR U, U MEANT EVIL AGAINST ME; BUT GOD MEANT IT FOR GOOD..."STAYING BEFORE THE THRONE...BEING LEAD BY GOD IN EVERYTHING WE DO...FAITH IS........
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