Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
Records abound of the reality of famine both in biblical and contemporary times. Economic recession, depression, budgetary cuts and their negative effects on jobs, food inflation, disposable family incomes and the cost of living are all too familiar.
In times like these, resourcefulness and reasonableness are required to ensure that the family is still fed.
Ultimately, God should be our refuge and repose as we seek resourceful and reasonable ways of feeding the family in famine.
“Adversity is always unexpected and unwelcomed. It is an intruder and a thief, and yet in the hands of God, adversity becomes the means through which His supernatural power is demonstrated” –Stanley.
P1. The Reality and Records of Famine and Famishing
Deut. 8:2-10; 1 Kings 17:1-7; 2 Kings 4:1-3; 6:25-29; 1 Corinth. 4:9-13; 2 Corinth. 11:27-29
Famine isn’t a strange and unfamiliar occurrence:
- Holiness and anointing do not necessarily give us immunity from adversities, times of famine and scarcity
- God in His sovereignty may use famine, pestilences and other natural disasters to chastise His erring people and nations (Psalm 105:16)
- Our own (in)actions may also bring untold hardships upon us and our families
- God still knows how to keep and provide for His faithful ones indifficult and challenging times
“For the believer, all pain has meaning; all adversity is profitable. There is no question that adversity is difficult. It usually takes us bymsurprise and seems to strike where we are most vulnerable. To us it often appears completely senseless and irrational, but to God none of it is either senseless or irrational. He has a purpose in every pain He brings or allows in our lives…” – Bridges.
P2. Resourcefulness and Reasonableness in Feeding the Family
2 Kings 4:3-7; Eccl. 7:11-14; Psalm 37:16; Prov. 31:10-31; Luke 16:1-8; John 6:11-13; Phil. 4:9-19
In times of famine, you need to be resourceful and reasonable:
- Cut down on needless spending and food waste
- Be strategic about shopping for groceries – look for the ‘red tags’
- Consider home-made food instead of eating out and home deliveries
- Use price comparison websites
- Buy and sell on flea/second-hand markets or websites
- Shop online with caution (Ebay, Amazon, Teemu etc.)
- Exercise your right of return, withdrawal, warranty, buyer protection
- Watch out for genuine seasonal sales and discounts
- Be prudent in the use of utilities and subscriptions (light, water, heating, phone bills etc.)
- Be sure to get value for money; let every cent count!
“He that rightly understands the reasonableness and excellency of charity will know that itcan never be excusable to waste any of our money in pride and folly” –William Law.
P3. Refuge and Repose for the Family in Famine
Isaiah 25:4; Psalm 46:1-10; 37:3,18,19,25; 1 Kings 17:8-16; Joel 2:16-27
Make God your confidence and hope in times of famine:
- Don’t over rely on your life and self-management skills
- Ask for help if and when the occasion demands
- Don’t abandon God and the fellowship of the brethren in challenging times
- Avoid unnecessary fear, anxiety and panic; God will take care of you and the family (Isaiah 33:15,16)
- Be thankful to God for past and present provision (Deuteronomy 8:10)
- Stand on the promises of God in prayer; they have never failed and cannot
- fail you
“Where does your security lie? Is God your refuge, your hiding place, yourmstronghold, your shepherd, your counselor, your friend, your redeemer, your saviour, your guide? If He is, you don’t need to search any further for security” – Elisabeth Elliot.