PRUDENT PLANNING Text: Genesis 41:15 “I have heard it said that when you hear a dream you can interpret it…” There's a wonderful story in the Old Testament that may have something to suggest in a time when it is politically correct to return surplus revenues to taxpayers. It is the story of Joseph, who at the moment was in prison in Egypt. Remember that he was the one sold into slavery by his brothers. One of his many talents was interpretation of dreams. Dreams were thought of as sort of windows on your life screen that appeared when you were asleep. They gave clues to those who could interpret them about what was going to happen. They were thought to come from God. Anyway, the Pharaoh has a recurring dream. He doesn't understand it. Freud had not yet written his “Interpretation of Dreams.” None of Pharaoh's magicians or wise men could interpret the dream. However, the chief butler remembered a young man in prison, named Joseph, who had interpreted dreams. The Pharaoh sent for Joseph. This was Pharaoh's dream. There were two acts with three scenes each. In the first act were cows. In scene one there appeared seven fat cows. In scene two there were seven gaunt and thin cows. In scene three the thin cows devoured the seven fat cows. In the second act there were stalks of corn. In the first scene he dreamed of seven full ears of corn on the stalk. In the second scene were seven withered ears. In scene three the thin ears swallowed up the good ears. When Joseph heard the story told the Pharaoh that the dreams were one message from God about what was going to happen. There was good news and bad news. There would be seven years of plenty. That was the good news. The bad news was that there would be seven years of famine. The question is, what to do? Of course, the prudent policy would be to conserve for the lean years. Which is what they did. Joseph was put in charge of the project and became a national hero. The plan was to put aside 20% of food for a reserve. When famine, they were ready. Should we have a policy that returns surplus to the taxpayer? Should we have a policy that does not allow for the lean times sure to follow? We are in an unprecedented period of national abundance. Note that I said “national.” Politicians are talking about reducing tax rates on corporations and the wealthy because of unexpected surpluses. Isn't anyone having bad dreams? Where is Joseph? The story makes me think about preparation for bad times. If there are good times, there will surely be bad times. I'm not thinking only about financial prosperity. How prepared are we for trouble? How about aging or loss of loved ones? Do we have any “reserves” for handling these things? Do we have mental toughness? Do we have a theology for bad things happening to good people? Do we have spiritual depth? Do we have a sense of reality about life?  In this time during which our children and grandchildren have known nothing but continually increasing luxury and prosperity, and the parents and grandparents have grown soft and complacent, let those who have ears hear the message of God interpreted by Joseph.     --Art Morgan, February 2000