Are you in a time of famine?

"There was a famine in the land, besides the first famine that was in the days of Abraham." (Genesis 26:1).

Chapter 26 is about Isaac. Webster's Dictionary defines famine as: "any extreme and general scarcity." People generally associate famine with food. But famine could relate to any life necessity.

When you read this chapter, you will notice Isaac followed the same pattern as his father, Abraham. When Abraham went to Egypt, he told Pharaoh that Sarah was his sister. That was partly true but she was first and first most his wife. Many plagues came upon the Egyptians as a result.

God told Isaac not to go to Egypt but rather to stay in Gerar (Gen 26:2). While there, Isaac told the men of Gerar that Rebekah was his sister. King Abimelech saw Isaac showing affection to Rebekah (that is another message about a husband's display of love for his wife) and asked Isaac why he lied. Isaac was afraid thinking the men would kill him and take Rebekah. Abimelech gave the decree that no one should touch Rebekah.

Isaac left there and moved out into the Valley of Gerar. The Philistines plugged all the wells that his father Abraham dug. Isaac however dug a well and found water. Because of arguing over the water, Isaac picked up and moved twice. Every time, he was able to find water. Notice the blessing of God on his life when he followed God's directions.

Let's back up to verse 12: "Then Isaac sowed in that land, and reaped in the same year a hundredfold; and the Lord blessed him."

Isaac sowed in a time of famine. That is critical to getting God's blessing. Being a person who gives. During a famine, things are scarce. Is there a famine in your life? Is there a storage of money? Love? Friendships? Then you need to sow in your time of famine. Many times when we hear of layoffs on the job, we stop giving and hoard what we have. Or if our spouses stop displaying affection, we withhold our love. But that is not the reaction we should have.

Let's visit Malachi 3:9-10:
Bring all the tithes into the storehouse,
That there may be food in My house,
And try Me now in this,”
Says the Lord of hosts,
“If I will not open for you the windows of heaven
And pour out for you such blessing
That there will not be room enough to receive it.


11 “And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes,
So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground,
Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,”
Says the Lord of hosts;
12 “And all nations will call you blessed,
For you will be a delightful land,”
Says the Lord of hosts.

When famine or lack tries to show up in your home and you faithfully return the tithe to God, you can stand on this promise that He will rebuke the devour for you. You do not have to do it. God does it!

Many people will say, "but I do not have anything to give. I barely have food for me and my family." You ALWAYS have something to give. Kenneth Copeland once said he used to put pens, pencils, the buttons off his shirt, shoe strings, whatever he could find into the offering bucket. Why? Because God looks at the heart. When you are committed to giving, then you are in position to receive all the blessings of God.

Jesus said, "give and IT will be given to you" (Luke 6:38). "It" is a very interesting word. Webster's Dictionary defines the word as: used to represent a thing, inanimate object or concept. In simpler terms, "It" takes on many forms. So you could read Luke 6:38 in this matter: Give food and food will be given to you. Give clothing and clothing will be given to you. Give love and love will be given to you. Give time and time will be given to you, etc.

When you are in a time of famine, do not stop your giving. Increase it! Choose to make a personal sacrifice to forgo your Starbucks coffee that week. Take a pair of pants out of the closet. Take a can of corn out of your cabinet. Decide to show love to your family and spouse. But do not fear! Your faith is in the act of giving.

Learn to become a giver during your time of famine and you will reap 100 times just like Isaac. This particular case relates to money. But give with the expectation of having all your needs met according to Phil 4:19. Whatever your famine, choose to give with the expectation of receiving!