April 21, 2008
Under Pressure - Plant
People are starting to feel the pressure of the economy. It can be argued that the pressure is a result of true market indicators or can simply be the result of the media embellishing economic factors. Either way, the result is the same. So, how do we respond. The natural reaction is to horde, coast, or withdraw.
The Bible teaches another principle that we should master, the principle of planting under pressure.
”The Lord appeared to Isaac and said, “Do not go down to Egypt; live in the land where I tell you to live. Stay in this land for a while, and I will be with you and will bless you….Isaac planted crops in the land and the same year reaped a hundredfold, because the Lord blessed him. The man became rich, and his wealth continued to grow until he became very wealthy.” (Genesis 26)
The Lord’s instruction was the opposite of man’s reaction to a pressured economy. While the economy caused everyone else to flee, the same economy caused Isaac to become extremely wealthy.
Proverbs teaches the principle, ”All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.” (Proverbs 14:23)
The keys to prosper during a bad economy are:
1. Listen to God’s instruction rather than people’s fears.
2. Work the system of sowing and reaping.
3. A crisis is a time to increase!