Genesis 41:53, 54

And the seven years of plenteousness, that was in the land of Egypt, were ended. And the seven years of dearth began to come, according as Joseph had said: and the dearth was in all lands; but in all the land of Egypt there was bread.

The good years ended, just like Joseph said they would. Then the famine came. The abundance did not last forever, and the trouble was not confined to one place. It spread across all lands.

That matters, because it reminds us that hard times can come broadly and suddenly. And just as this famine reached everywhere, so the coming Tribulation will touch the whole world.

But then comes that wonderful line:

But in all the land of Egypt there was bread.

I love that.

Everywhere else, famine.
Everywhere else, lack.
But in Egypt, there was bread.

Why? Because they listened to Joseph when the years were full. They brought in grain during the days of plenty, and because they did, there was provision in the days of famine. They were sustained in crisis because they obeyed before the crisis came.

That leads naturally to another storehouse.

Malachi 3:10

Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

Just as the Egyptians brought of their increase into the granary, we bring to the place where we are fed spiritually. And I want to say this carefully. This is not some pressure tactic. The Lord is not desperate, and heaven is not short on resources.

This is an invitation.

In fact, this is the one place where the Lord says, in effect, “Test Me.” He gives His people an opportunity to step out in obedience and watch His faithfulness meet them there.

And tithing is not merely a Law issue. Abraham tithed before the Law in Genesis 14. Jesus said the tithe was not to be left undone in Luke 11:42. Paul told believers to lay by in store as God had prospered them in 1 Corinthians 16:2.

So this is really about trust.

It is about saying, “Lord, You are the source. What I have came from You, and I want to honor You first.”

Then Malachi adds this:

Malachi 3:11

And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes.

That is real life. Because sometimes money just disappears. Haggai described it as wages put into a bag with holes. You work, you earn, and somehow it is gone.

I have seen that principle at work. When the Lord is ignored, things seem to unravel. When He is honored, He has a way of making things hold together that should not hold together.

That is why tithing is not God’s way of raising money.

It is His way of raising His children.

Every time we give, greed loosens a little. Fear loosens a little. Selfishness loosens a little. God puts His finger on our treasure because He wants our heart.

Jesus said it plainly:

Matthew 6:21

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

So when I read that there was bread in Egypt, I do not just see an old story. I see a principle. Honor the Lord in the days of plenty, and you will find Him faithful in the days of famine.

Beloved, this is not pressure. It is opportunity.

An opportunity to trust Him.
An opportunity to obey Him.
An opportunity to test, in the one place He says to do so, whether He will prove faithful.

There was bread in Egypt because they listened to Joseph.

And there will be strength in our lives too when we simply do what the Lord says.