Joseph gave Pharaoh some great advice when Egypt was facing a famine: ‘Gather all the food produced in the good years…That way there will be enough to eat when the seven years of famine come…Otherwise this famine will destroy the land’ (Genesis 41:35-36 NLT). Pharaoh recognised the value of this advice: ‘Joseph’s suggestions were well received by Pharaoh and his officials’ (Genesis 41:37 NLT). And this idea of preparing for the bad times during the good times is something we can apply to our own lives today, especially when it comes to managing our money. In those times when we might be earning a bit more than we used to, or maybe we’ve been given money as a gift from our family, it’s tempting to want to spend it straight away. But we won’t always have a warning, like Pharaoh did, that difficult times are coming. So we need to try and get into the habit of doing what we can when things are going well, then we’re better prepared for whatever lies ahead. And there are a couple of things we can start putting into practice straight away to help us with that: 1) Start saving. Try and discipline yourself into saving regularly, maybe once a week or once a month. It doesn’t matter if it’s only a small amount at first, just try and get into that habit of putting something away regularly, so you won’t be tempted to spend it straight away. 2) Pay off any debts you owe. Have you borrowed money from a friend or someone in your family? Do you have a credit card bill that’s growing bigger? Try and regularly put aside as much as you can to pay back anything you owe. Get into the habit of paying off debts as soon as you reasonably can.

What Now?

Take a look at your bank statement. Ask God to guide you in deciding on a regular amount to set aside as savings. And if you have any debts, ask Him to give you wisdom to clear them as soon as you can.