Reaping in Recession

Recession, inflation, and economic hard times have been with mankind almost since the beginning of time. They are not new problems. The biblical answers to these conditions first appear early in the Book of Genesis.

And there was a famine in the land, beside the first famine that was in the days of Abraham…Genesis 26:1 Famine could be any unanticipated disaster, tragedy, hardship or reversal of fortune that suddenly dries up your personal resources.

A famine could be just about anything: a death in the family, a devastating fire, job loss, a major health crisis, anything that puts a sudden drain on your financial resources. What do you do when famine comes?

God gave Isaac specific instructions to follow in order to prosper during those economic hard times.

Stay faithful to God’s commands. Don’t let circumstances ruin your good, Christian habits. Many believers become inconsistent in times of economic pressure. Fluctuation from your Christian principles will only weaken you further. The Lord blessed Isaac because of obedience (Isaiah 1:19).

Don’t follow the world’s philosophy. Because of the famine, everyone was leaving to go to Egypt, but the Lord had a different program for Isaac:

Go not down into Egypt…. Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee . Genesis 26:2, 3

Move to a new city or state only upon God’s command, not because of a rumor that there is prosperity there. Remember that God can bless you in any location.

Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field. Deuteronomy 28:3

Too many people in the world, either give up hope completely or they fall into the “someday syndrome” Someday things will get better; someday I’m going to have money; Someday I’m going to get out of debt. Someday, I’m going to start giving the way I really want to.

I have news for you….someday is TODAY….right now….this is the day. Sow generously during the famine.

Isaac went forth under the Lord’s instructions, and he “…sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the Lord blessed him” (Genesis 26:12). God intended for Isaac to conquer the famine and gave him the prosperity principles to emerge victorious from it. These same biblical principles apply for you today. Begin to use them now in your own life.

Remember: Stay faithful to God’s commands. Don’t follow the world’s philosophy. Sow generously during the famine.