In the Bible, the story is told of Joseph one of the twelve sons of Jacob. Joseph was a man of faith who followed God with all of his heart. He was also a man of wisdom and understanding. He demonstrated very unique qualities which are important lessons we can learn from.
We can find many details about Joseph’s story in Genesis 37 to 50. Joseph was the first child of Rachel; the wife Jacob loved and chose to marry. His mother died after giving birth to his little brother Benjamin. So he was raised mostly buy his father and most likely Bilhah, the mother’s maid who also bore a few sons for Jacob.
Joseph was a dreamer, he had dreams and told them to his brothers. This caused a lot of jealousy and envy in the family. He was later sold into slavery in Egypt by his own brothers out of jealousy. His dreams and possible interpretation were not so pleasant to the brothers. While in Egypt, Joseph experienced the favor of God even though he went through difficult times and challenges and ended up in prison. It was during his time in prison that Pharaoh, the reigning king in Egypt at the time had dreams and needed someone to interpret for him. Having helped some of Pharaoh’s staff earlier, Joseph was invited to help interpret Pharaoh’s dreams which he was able to do with the help of God. (Genesis 41)
Pharaoh’s Dream
In Pharaoh’s dream, seven ugly and thin cows came out of the Nile after seven attractive and plum ones. The ugly and thin cows ate up the attractive ones. He dreamt a second time and this time seven ears of grain, thin and blighted came and ate up seven ears of seven plump and attractive ears.
There was no one in Pharaoh’s team of wise men that could interpret the dream.
Joseph interpreted Pharaoh’s dream, there was going to be seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine. Joseph was not only able to interpret the dreams he also suggested and advised Pharaoh on what to do.
Joseph’s Proposal
Joseph recommendation was to save one-fifth (20 percent) during the time of plenty and surplus. He advised Pharaoh to build storehouses during the time of plenty and surplus.
Let Pharaoh proceed to appoint overseers over the land and take one-fifth of the produce of the land of Egypt during the seven plentiful years. And let them gather all the food of these good years that are coming and store up grain under the authority of Pharaoh for food in the cities, and let them keep it. That food shall be a reserve for the land against the seven years of famine that are to occur in the land of Egypt, so that the land may not perish through the famine.”
Genesis 41:34-36 ESV
Joseph was very clear to Pharaoh, the dream was going to come to pass. God showed to Pharaoh what He was about to do on the earth. The book of Ecclesiastes talked about times and season. The time of famine during Joseph and Pharaoh’s time was inevitable. God was preparing the earth for the famine that was coming through Joseph. Let me share with you a few lessons I can pick form this story.
Life Lessons from Dream and Interpretation
Knowledge is power.
Egypt saved for the times of famine because they knew that there was going to be times of famine. Joseph’s brothers did not know, they ran out of food and had to come begging in Egypt.
Nothing takes God by surprise. God does not bring adversity on people but He is always willing and able to help when we ask Him to.
The information Egypt had set them apart from the rest of the world at the time. They became the food hub for all neighboring nations. It’s amazing what we can be accomplished when people have the right information available to them.
Make provisions for the time of famine
There may never be a famine like the time of Joseph, but life situations may cause similar situations in our lives. Emergencies are like famines. It’s always easier and better if necessary plans are in place. God will always provide. Understanding His promises for us in terms of our needs is key.
Could it be the abundance you have today is to make plans for the future? Joseph recommendation was to save 20 percent and seem like an applicable life lesson for us today also.
Joseph proposed to Pharaoh to save twenty percent of all the produce during the seven years of plenty.
During the seven plentiful years the earth produced abundantly, 48 and he gathered up all the food of these seven years, which occurred in the land of Egypt, and put the food in the cities. He put in every city the food from the fields around it. 49 And Joseph stored up grain in great abundance, like the sand of the sea, until he ceased to measure it, for it could not be measured.
Genesis 41:47-49 ESV
Trust in the Lord with all your heart
We may not always know or understand why we experience certain circumstances in life but we can always trust that God is never surprised by what we go through. There is purpose in the pain, just take time to understand it. Start with the place of prayer and communion with God.
Joseph may have had very unpleasant life experiences, but they did not define him. They were preparing him for what was ahead.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV
God is sovereign and sees to our future. We need to learn to trust Him and commit our ways to God in all things.
We are blessed to have the Holy Spirit to guide, teach and comfort us. If we only we can be more sensitive to His guidance. He will not say anything contradicting the written word of God. The beauty of our obedience is the more obedient we are the more we understand His ways.
There is always a way of escape
God not only shows people of dooms and woes, He will show you the way of escape. So when you receive a word that only tells you of problems without solution. Go to God in prayer to receive the way of escape. God is merciful and kind. He will not tell us only of destruction. Joseph did not only tell Pharaoh of his dream and interpretation he recommended a way out.
This important lesson about money will help a lot of people out of unprecedented circumstances. Save and invest at least twenty percent (20%) of your earned income as much as life will allow, give at least 10% (its also in the Bible) and enjoy the rest.
God will always provide. Understanding His promises for us in terms of our needs is key.
Different schools of thought on personal finance suggests a 50/30/20 rule for your earned income. Others suggest 70/20/10 rule and many more.
The 50/30/20 rule says to spend 50% of your earned income on your everyday expenses, 30% on wants and 20% for savings or paying off debt. The 70/20/10 rule recommends spending 70% on everyday expenses, 20% on savings and 10% on giving. Not too far from Joseph’s approach several thousand years back. The Bible is indeed a book of wisdom.
This important lesson about money will help a lot of people out of unprecedented circumstances. Save and invest at least twenty percent (20%) of your earned income as much as life will allow, give at least 10% (its also in the Bible) and enjoy the rest.
If there is not enough income to live a lifestyle you desire, ask God for help. Pray for God to show you how to boost your income to afford the lifestyle you desire.
Find Peace and Comfort in God’s Word
For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
Romans 15:4 ESV
I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God’s gift to man.
Ecclesiastes 3:13 ESV
God’s plans for His children does not include poverty and lack. Wisdom and discretion makes a lot of difference.
To learn more about your money and how to manage it – the following books may come in handy. As always the best resource and starting point is the Bible.
God's plan for your money by Derek Prince
Complete Guide To Money by Dave Ramsey
Smart Money Smart Kids by Dave Ramsey
