The Power Of Savings Series

I want to talk about creating margin in our life this morning. Margin is when we have a little extra space that allows you to breath. It’s when I have a few extra minutes to enjoy life. Or when I have a few extra dollars beyond just paying the bills to devote to things that matter. Whether we have little of it or a lot, money has a powerful impact on our lives. And few areas of our lives can cause the stress that financial problems cause.

This morning I want to speak to you about the power of savings.

Many of us spend $1.10 for every $1 we make. The result is something breaks in our house or in our life and we are incredibly stressed out. If stress were measured like rpms of a car’s dashboard, then we would be running in the red. Now, we have all done stupid things with our money. So we need to create margin so that we have room to breathe and grow.

Later this year, our campus will encourage everyone of us to go through something called Financial Peace University. We need margin in our life to truly connect with the people we care about the most. And margin in my finances to enjoy what the Lord has given me. And adding margin will allow you to be generous with those in need. Most importantly, margin in your life allows you to truly worship the Lord. One of the most powerful tools the Lord has given us to reduce stress and anxiety in our lives is the ability to save for a rainy day. The number one complaint Americans have about our money is that we are not saving enough. In a survey completed just over the holidays, nearly one in four of us say our biggest blunder is we aren’t saving like we should be.

Find Genesis 41 and place a bookmark at Proverbs 6 also if you would with me.

Imagine yourself owning the money of a professional athlete – you’d be set, right? If you had the money from just one three or four year contract from an NFL player, an NBA player, or MLB player, you would be set for life. Consider this fact: A 2009 Sports Illustrated study discovered that 60 percent of US professional basketball players have faced bankruptcy within five years of retirement. Warren Sapp, the seven-time Pro Bowler and Hall of Fame defensive tackle, earned $82 million during a 13-year career that ended in 2007. By the spring of 2012, however, he filed for bankruptcy, even though he was still pulling in $116,000 per month at the time as a TV analyst. Other NFL players are right there along with Warren as well. The money just spilled right through these athletes fingers.

I want to tell why it’s so important that you listen to me this morning. Forbes money magazine says we have been in a bull market since March 2009. A bull market is when the economy is on the rise and we are economically sound. The average bull market is four and half years in length. Our current run is nearly twice that, nearing eleven years now. Our current run is the longest run in recorded history. We are enjoying a record long stretch where the economy is really good. Now, I am not a financial expert and I don’t even play one on TV. But everyone knows the economy works like this in a way – the financial tide comes in and the financial tide goes out. I want you and me to be as prepared as possible for when the tide goes out no matter when that is. Billionaire Warren Buffett, the Oracle of Omaha, says, “You never know who’s swimming naked until the tide goes out.”

Let’s get up to speed on Genesis 41. Joseph has been languishing in prison for two years. Remember, Joseph had been sold into slavery in Egypt through the betrayal of his brothers, and he was actually put into prison through the betrayal of his master’s wife. There in prison, he had interpreted the dreams of 2 white-collar prisoners, the chief cupbearer and the chief baker to none other than Pharaoh. The last thing Joseph said to the cupbearer, “Remember me when you’re back with Pharaoh.” But two long years went by – over seven hundred times the sun went and the sun went down. All the while, Joseph languishes in prison.

Today’s Scripture -Pharaoh Dreams

“After two whole years, Pharaoh dreamed that he was standing by the Nile, 2 and behold, there came up out of the Nile seven cows, attractive and plump, and they fed in the reed grass. 3 And behold, seven other cows, ugly and thin, came up out of the Nile after them, and stood by the other cows on the bank of the Nile. 4 And the ugly, thin cows ate up the seven attractive, plump cows. And Pharaoh awoke.” (Genesis 41:1-5).