Reading: Luke 18, Psalm 37:19

And in the days of famine, they shall be satisfied.

Another difficult “day” spoken of in the scripture is the day of famine. Until Jesus returns, our world is subject to a curse that causes the earth to switch violently between cycles of plenty and lack. Modern agricultural science and rapid transport have done much to limit the effects of famine in much of the world. But the economics of famine are still very real. Famine in the bible is a term that describes a lack of food or material goods due to blight, drought, war, and climatic disaster.

All nations experience economic setbacks, stagnation, inflation, recession, and depression occasionally. Every home and business experiences both good years and tough years. Undoubtedly, God often uses the phenomenon of famine to bring about conditions for change and human growth. Economic uncertainty causes us to dig deeper wells, hunt for better sources of provision, and teach us to depend on Him. God used famine to bring Abraham’s family to Egypt. He also used the plague of famine upon the Egyptians to release God’s people from bondage. We also know the devil uses famine to crush hope, instigate hoarding, bring about the oppression of the poor, and wipe out vulnerable populations through starvation.

When finances are abundant, we tend to put too much trust in our resources and resourcefulness. We feel privileged and are tempted to think the good times will last forever. This was the case for the wealthy young executive in Luke 18. This guy was no different from today's uber-wealthy elite and Silicon Valley moguls. He asked Jesus what he needed to do to “inherit eternal life.” It’s interesting to note how many rich, powerful, and famous people also want to live forever in our day.

Jesus wasn’t opposed to this man or the fact that he owned great riches. But He knew that the young man’s riches were owning him. Jesus challenged him to surrender His wealth through an act of radical generosity towards the poor and to follow Him. When the man walked away unwilling to part with his money, the Lord used his story to explain how pursuing material things can get in the way of knowing His purpose for our lives.

Jesus was not trying to impoverish this man. He was planning to enrich him. He said that man’s generosity would give him a treasure in heaven and that he would “receive many times as much both in this age, and in age to come – eternal life” (V.30). What Jesus was doing was to remind us that our joy and security should not be rooted in our net worth, prosperous business seasons, career promotions, or financial bottom line. He wants us to be rich in faith regardless of the prevailing financial winds in our lives. The Lord wants us to be content with Him and trust in His promise to provide our daily bread – especially when we don’t know where the money comes from.

It’s important to state that our heavenly Father loves providing for us. One of the most frequently appearing promises in the bible is God’s promise to provide materially for His people. As Paul taught in Romans 8:32, “If He did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” The Lord simply wants us to be free of materialism so that when He does provide, we can enjoy His blessings without losing our identity.

This can only happen when we love Jesus more than the things He provides. After all, He gave up His glorious throne as Lord of the Universe to be born to a working-class family in the feeding trough of an animal pen behind the local motel. Then He gave up His life to die abandoned, rejected, and naked upon a wooden cross. For you. For me. For us all. It’s very small for Him to ask you and me to surrender our trust in riches and follow Him – wherever He may lead.

As you fast today, Let your physical hunger be satisfied by sitting in His Presence and feeding your heart on His Word.
Write a prayer to the Lord, praising Him for His provision. Be specific and identify the times He has provided when you were in famine or need. Recall how He has come through again and again. And offer yourself anew to Him and His calling and purposes. Remember that you do not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God (Matt 4:4)..

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