The salient point of this discourse revolves around the imperative of proactively establishing storehouses during times of abundance, as exemplified by Joseph in Egypt. We are reminded that famine arrives unannounced and that the true measure of our preparedness lies in our actions during prosperous seasons. Joseph's foresight in gathering and storing food was not merely an exercise in resource management; it was a profound testament to wisdom and discipline. This episode elaborates on the necessity of recognizing abundance as both a privilege and a test, urging us to cultivate habits of restraint and foresight. Ultimately, we are called to ensure that our storehouses serve not just our needs but also the welfare of others, aligning our prosperity with a sense of responsibility and compassion. The sermon elucidates the profound wisdom encapsulated in the narrative of Joseph, particularly regarding the necessity of preparation during times of abundance. The key verse from Genesis 41:48 serves as a poignant reminder of Joseph's diligence in collecting and storing food during the seven years of abundance in Egypt. The speaker emphasizes that famine arrives unannounced, underscoring the critical importance of utilizing periods of plenty as an opportunity for foresight and preparation. This theme is substantiated through various scriptural references, including Deuteronomy 8, which warns against the complacency that often accompanies prosperity. The central question posed is whether individuals are engaging in prudent stewardship during their 'plenty season' or merely indulging in their resources. This serves as a clarion call to recognize that the test of faith is not solely in adversity but also in how one handles blessings. The message culminates in a call to action, encouraging listeners to establish their 'storehouses'—both materially and spiritually—as a safeguard against future hardships, thus fostering a mindset of responsibility and foresight rather than one of entitlement and negligence.

Takeaways:

1. The abundance in life should be viewed as a test of discipline and responsibility rather than an opportunity for indulgence and carelessness.
2. Joseph's legacy exemplifies the importance of preparation during prosperous times to mitigate the inevitable challenges of future scarcity.
3. Storehouses are a manifestation of wisdom that reflects one's ability to foresee and plan for future hardships, rather than a mere lack of faith.
4. True prosperity is not about personal gain but rather about the ability to serve and uplift others during times of need.

Joseph collected all the food produced in those seven years of abundance in Egypt and stored it in the cities.

Let me start with a simple truth that will offend the lazy and liberate the wise.

Famine doesn't announce itself with a calendar invite.

Famine doesn't knock politely.

It doesn't ask your permission.

One day the job is stable, the next day the company is restructuring.

One day you're healthy, the next day there's a diagnosis.

One day the economy is booming, the next day the currency is shaking.

One day your marriage feels strong, the next day you're confronting a storm you never imagined.

And here is the question, brothers and sisters, that separates survivors from casualties when the famine comes, what did you do in the years of abundance?

Because Joseph's greatness was not only that he interpreted Pharaoh's dream.

Joseph's greatness was that he obeyed the interpretation long enough to build a future that could outlast disaster.

Some people pray for open heavens, but refuse to build storehouses.

Some people shout, God will provide, but live in zero discipline.

Some people call saving fear and calling planning unspiritual.

And then they blame the devil when life gets tight.

But Joseph teaches us that storehouses are not a lack of faith.

Storehouses are wisdom.

Obeying revelation, God gave Egypt a warning, but Joseph built a response.

God revealed the reeds, the season, but Joseph created the system.

And this is the word for the church.

God is trying to move his people from miracles to mastery, from emergency living to established living, from hand to mouth to storehouse stewardship.

And this is as we continue our series.

Joseph from the Pit to Prosperity and our third message today, Egypt's storehouses.

Our first point in this message is the season of plenty is a test, not a vacation.

The Bible says the land produced plentifully for seven years.

Seven years of abundance.

Seven years where the harvest was so big it looked endless.

And this is where most people fail, because we assume the test is hardship.

But hear me out.

Abundance is also a test.

God watches what you do when things are going well.

Do you become grateful or do you become entitled?

Do you become disciplined or do you become careless?

Do you become generous or do you become greedy?

Do you become prayerful or do you become proud?

Deuteronomy 8 warns Israel, when you have eaten and are satisfied, don't forget the Lord.

Why?

Because prosperity has a silent danger.

It can make you think you did it all by yourself.

You may say to yourself, my power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.

But remember, The Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth.

Deuteronomy 8, 17, 18 the moment you forget God, you start wasting what God gives.

Joseph didn't treat abundance like a party.

Joseph treated abundance like an assignment.

And that is the maturity difference.

Abundance is not permission to relax.

It is instruction to prepare.

Some of you are currently in seven years of plenty season and don't even realize it.

Your health is your plenty.

Your stable income is your plenty.

Your access to education is your plenty.

Your marriage still standing is your plenty.

Your brain still working is your plenty.

Don't squander your plenty and then cry when famine comes.

The Bible says, do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.

Proverbs 27:1 Joseph lived like that verse was real.

The second point in this message is Storehouses are built by discipline, restraint and wisdom.

Joseph collected the food and stored it in cities.

That means Joseph predicted something modern culture hates delayed gratification.

He could have used those seven years to look impressive.

He could have spent it all.

He could have turned Egypt into a festival nation.

But Joseph had foresight.

Proverbs says the wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down.

Wise people stall, Fools swallow.

Fools don't necessarily lack money.

They lack restraint.

The problem is not always poverty.

Sometimes the problem is appetite.

Appetite for status, Appetite for comfort, appetite for pleasure.

Appetite for attention.

Appetite for instant results.

But storehouses are built by people who can say, not now, not yet, not everything.

Not wastefully, not without purpose.

That's why Proverbs tells us to look at the ant.

Go to the ant, you sluggard.

Consider its ways and be wise.

It stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food and harvest.

Proverbs 6:6 8 the ant is not praying.

The ant is preparing.

And some of you are shouting in church, but you're not building.

You want the God of Joseph, but you don't want Joseph's habits.

Because storehouses require routine budgets, limits, planning, accountability, honesty and consistency.

If you can't manage your impulses, you can't manage your increase.

Joseph storehouses weren't built by vibes.

They were built by a system.

Our third point is that God gives storehouse prosperity to protect people, not to inflate pride.

Here's where we correct the prosperity conversation.

Joseph's storehouses were not for Joseph.

They were for Egypt.

They were for the surrounding nations.

And yes, eventually Jacob's household and the covenant line.

God's goal was never Joseph looks rich.

God's goal was many lives are saved.

Joseph later says the famous line, you intended to harm me, but God intended for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.

Biblical prosperity is not luxury first.

It's legacy first.

It's impact first.

It's responsibility first.

And some people want wealth so they can escape people.

God wants to increase you so you can serve people.

And this is why storehouses must be connected to compassion.

Isaiah 58 says when you spend yourself on behalf of the hungry, God will satisfy your needs and make you a well watered God.

That is covenant prosperity.

Generosity becomes a channel that keeps you supplied and in 1 Timothy 6 says to the rich, don't be arrogant.

Don't put hope in wealth.

Be generous.

Be willing to share.

So hear me clearly, if your version of prosperity makes you proud, stingy and selfish, it is not the spirit of Joseph.

Joseph's storehouses were mercy in physical form.

God doesn't bless you to flex.

He blesses you to feed.

Here are some applicable life lessons for our personal life.

Believers, identify your plenty season right now and steward it.

Create a storehouse plan.

Save consistently even if small.

Cut waste.

Stop emotional spending.

Build skills as a storehouse, education, certifications and discipline and build spiritual reserved prayer habits, Scripture, memory and fasting rhythm for ministry, work and family for ministry.

Build structures that keep keep people after the altar.

Call discipleship, storehouses and work.

Become the one who prepares for risk, not the one who reacts in panic.

And for your family, Create order in the home.

Teach children to steward and delay gratification.

Here's the practical Joseph challenge our seven day storehouse starter number one track every expense for seven days.

No lies.

2.

Create a basic budget needs saving giving responsibilities.

Choose one waste area and cut it by 50%.

Start any emergency reserve even if it's small.

Increase your skill.

Storehouse one hour per day learning something valuable.

Pray daily for wisdom, not just money and then give something intentionally.

Train your heart to release.

Here is a couple of warnings.

Stop calling discipline Lack of faith.

Discipline is faith in action.

If God tells you famine is coming and you ignore preparation, that is not faith.

That is foolishness.

Don't let comfort make you careless.

Some of you are too comfortable to be consistent.

But famine doesn't respect comfort and don't build storehouses and forget God.

Storehouses without worship become idolatry.

Your savings is not your savior.

Your God is your provider.

Storehouses are a tool and God is the source Here are some questions for reflection.

What plenty season are you in right now and how are you stewarding it?

Where are you leaking resources, money, time, discipline, purity and attention?

If a famine hit your life next month, what storehouses would protect your famine?

4.

Are you pursuing prosperity for comfort alone or for kingdom impact and compassion?

Let us pray.

Father, in the name of Jesus, we repent for waste, for disorder, for foolishness, and for seasons where we consumed without restraint.

Forgive us for treating abundance like a vacation instead of an assignment.

Forgive us for emotional spending, impulsive living and careless stewardship.

Lord, give us the wisdom of Joseph.

Teach us to build storehouses spiritually, financially, emotionally and relationally.

Help us to delay gratification.

Help us to be faithful with little.

Help us to plan and prepare, not panic and beg.

And Father, purify our motives.

Increase us not so we can brag, but so we can bless.

Make our lives a refuge for others.

Let our homes become storehouses of peace.

Let our finances become storehouses of generosity.

Let our hearts become storehouses of truth.

We declare that we will not be wasteful in plenty and we will not be fearful in famine.

We will trust you as the source and we will steward what you provide with discipline and joy.

In Jesus name, amen.