This piece will serve as a prophetic compass, a counsel and creative solutions to the lingering hardship situation we face as a people, an institution, marriage, society and as a nation. It may not be like the conventional solutions proffered to solving basic economic problems, or policies formulated in the past like floating the naira; a situation where a government allow the value of their currency to be determined by supply and demand in the foreign exchange market.

It may not be about imposing tax on her citizens despite the high inflation rate further impoverishing the people, but on the contrary, this piece will further serve as an insight, an action plan, a call or steps leaders must take to give her citizens or followers a better experience. So, sensitivity is required in other to maximize what has been scripted.   

When we talk about scarcity or famine, what does it mean? I see it as a phenomenon which is not only peculiar to Nigeria, your family or institution, but a global crisis especially in Nigeria and other third world nations. Either due to war or crises, negligence by leaders, unfavorable government policies or due to situations beyond our control. And the essence of this article is to give leaders hope, direction and insight as to how leaders of families, institutions, nations and ministries will lead effectively even in the midst of the famine although not necessarily ignoring its existence but helping followers have a different experience other than what is prevalent.

It is impossible to talk about famine or scarcity without talking about inflation. What is inflation? Inflation is a general increase in prices and fall in the purchasing value of money. So, whenever there is a fall in the purchasing value of money, there is said to be inflation in that economy. In the case of Nigeria, there is a rapid increase in price which could also be called hyperinflation.

So, the word scarcity in economic terms means shortage or short supply. It is a phenomenon used to describe the state of limited resources in the face of numerous needs or demand. For example, water and food basically has become a thing of concern all around the world. Hunger is predominantly a menace in third world countries and war-torn regions. In contrast to scarcity, abundance talks about affluence, wealth, overflowing fullness, extremely plentiful or oversufficient. This is the reason for this article. How can leaders lead their nation from a place of absolutely nothing to a place of abundance and sufficiency?

The desire of God is not for His people to live in scarcity but in abundance. Although the world is going through humanitarian crisis, the sons of the kingdom ought to have a different experience. Jesus said although you are in the world, you are not of the world. So, if a nation is in scarcity, and shortage; there is something the leaders of that nation must do to get the nation out of scarcity.

The economic policies of the kingdoms of this world have been designed differently from the kingdom of light. This is why those who function in alignment with the principles of the kingdom of light enjoy what the King of the kingdom provides. This means that we are stepping into a season where there will be a clear difference in the kingdom you represent, serve or align with. 

There is a season that is unfolding and leadership of families, of nations and multinationals must be sensitive and discerning.

Jospeh foresaw a season, that season is captured in a phrase in the book of Psalms 105 verse 16. It says, “He called a famine; he broke the staff of bread”. Who was this Scripture referring to? God! Although it was God calling a famine, it was shown to Joseph as sheaves bowing down to him. Meaning that he was to lead the nation, give them direction and to preserve God’s heritage.

When it was time for him to interpret that season to Pharoah in Genesis 41:30. He said, “But seven years of famine will follow them. Then all the abundance in the land of Egypt will be forgotten, and the famine will devastate the land.” Having built this background, what is the advantage for you and I in a season where the purchasing value of money is low? How can leaders be strategic in such a time and season as this? What is the posture every leader should take at such a time as this?

Number One: Uprightness. I am sure this point may come as a surprise to you but this is the truth. A any nation that wants to prosper and have abundance of all things must be upright. See what the Scripture says in Psalm 37 verse 19. But for the sake of context and emphasis I would begin from verse 18. It says, “The Lord knows the days of the upright, and their inheritance shall be forever. Then verse 19 says They shall not be ashamed in the evil time, and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied”. This is talking about the experience of the upright it says in the days of famine, scarcity; there shall be abundance. This means that the upright are not permitted to experience the things that come with famine. For example, where there is famine, you will find sickness and diseases, malnutrition, massive migration etc. The Scripture says no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly. (Psalm 84:11)

I like us to note that word ‘upright’ used in verse 18 because it gives meaning to what or puts in proper context what the next verse is saying. What is the meaning of uprightness? Uprightness is a condition or quality of being honorable or honest. Another translation says blameless, another says decent, another says innocent. So, that verse says the Lord knows the days of the upright, the innocent, the blameless, the decent; then verse 19 says they shall be satisfied in the days of famine.

Number Two: Be under an authority

The fundamental question is; Who is your shepherd? Who is your father? In other words, who is your leader? The Bible says as many as are led by the Holy Spirit. Not something else but the Holy Spirit. There is a direct relationship between abundance, sonship or the authority over you. There is no abundance without a source, if a nation is experiencing scarcity, it is either they are disconnected from the source, or the source is dried up.

In such a season as this, your Shepherd, your leader determines the degree of your abundance. Abundance here in this context is not restricted to physical provisions but spiritual nourishment also. The psalmist said Lord is my shepherd I shall not want, I shall not be in scarcity, I shall not experience famine. The Scripture speaking about the prodigal son said, he began to be in want until he came to himself. The degree of your want is determined by who you have as a shepherd.  

Number Three: Vision and strategy.

Vision alone is not enough; strategy is also required. The combination of vision and strategy sets a nation on the path of prosperity and abundance. What is vision? It is the mental image or picture of the future that is not perceived or present to the senses. And where this vision is lacking the people will cast off restraints. Nations who lack vision lack the ability to project into the future and discern what the world needs at every season. This is what trail blazing is all about. When you see nations experience scarcity, one of the pointers or indicators is that they fail to innovate, trailblaze, or set the tone for others to follow. What about strategy? What does it mean? It is an elaborate and systematic plan of action.

Joseph didn’t just see a famine coming, this talks about vision. He also deployed a strategy. See what he said to Pharoah Gen.41.33 - "Now therefore, let Pharaoh select a discerning and wise man, and set him over the land of Egypt. 34 - Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, to collect one-fifth of the produce of the land of Egypt in the seven plentiful years. 35 - And let them gather all the food of those good years that are coming, and store up grain under the authority of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities. 36 - Then that food shall be as a reserve for the land for the seven years of famine which shall be in the land of Egypt, that the land may not perish during the famine." 37 – So, the advice was good in the eyes of Pharaoh and in the eyes of all his servants.

Don’t be a leader that cannot see beyond your nose. Jospeh saw it, he talked about it, Canaan and Israel despised it, but Egypt gave him the platform, so he prepared the king for it, he hired the right people and mapped out a strategy. These factors positioned Egypt as a commercial hub, a necessary market and a global epicenter for all nations. The reason is because the leader saw a lack, he didn’t allow the lack to linger or take the nations by surprise, he didn’t see scarcity or famine as a thing to panic about, he devised a strategy by wisdom.

This leads us to the next point.

Number Four: Have a relevant product and increase productivity.

Having a relevant product cannot be possible if it is impossible to look into the future. What does this mean? It means the relevance of a product is a function of times and seasons. Meaning that products must be commensurate to demand. And the greatest product you can possess as a leader at such a time as this is light. Bible says darkness will cover the earth and gross darkness the people. If the world is dark, if you have light, you will be sorted after. Nigeria for example has depended on petrol for a long time and certain nations have made advanced research and are into renewable energy. Petrol may be relevant for the market now but may not be in years to come. Rather than investing so much in refinery why don’t we look into the future and invest in renewable energy that has so much potential to turn the nation around. Look at the number of electric cars being manufactured now. For the fact that it is not embraced today does not mean it won’t be the driving force of the future. This is the reason why leaders must evolve, be fluid and must be dynamic in order not to go out of relevance. The degree to which people will gravitate towards that product is a function of how much satisfaction the products give to those who place a demand on the product.  

I found something very profound in Genesis 42:1-7. The Bible says, “Now when Jacob (Israel) learned that there was grain in Egypt, he said to his sons, remember this is a covenant nation. He said to them “Why are you staring at one another [in bewilderment and not taking action]?” 2He said, “I have heard that there is grain in Egypt; go down there and buy [some] grain for us”. I like you to note that word “go there and buy.”

Did you see that? The reason why he is sending them to Egypt is because they heard that there was food in Egypt. And failure to go to Egypt in that season means that they may die of starvation.” Egypt became a necessary destination simply because there is food there. The Bible says 3 So ten of Joseph’s brothers went down to buy grain in Egypt. Do you remember what the five wise virgins told the foolish virgins? They said go to the city to those who sell. At that time of the night they needed light and oil is required to produce light. Meaning that oil became a vital product at that season. If you have what to offer, the nations will come. Bible says, “Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.”

Chapter 43 is where I am really going. Verse 1 says, “Now the famine was very severe in the land [of Canaan]. I like you to note that word “very severe” meaning that the more the scarcity, the higher the demand for Joseph and Egypt. He simply had a relevant product. 2And it happened that when the families of Jacob’s sons had finished eating [all of] the grain which they had brought from Egypt, their father said to them, “Go again, buy us a little food.” Did you see that? Go again and buy.

Going to verse 11 to 12, and this is very profound. The Bible says, “Then their father Israel said to them, “If it must be so, then do this; take some of the choicest products of the land in your sacks, and carry it as a present [of tribute] to the man [representing Pharaoh], a little balm and a little honey, aromatic spices or gum, resin, pistachio nuts, and almonds. 12Take double the [amount of] money with you”.

I like you to note something here; Jacob said to them take some of the choicest products of the land this means that the land of Canaan has its own products despite the famine except food. The choicest product includes balm and honey, aromatic spices or gum, resin, pistachio nuts, and almonds and including money.

This means that Jacob was not poor, but he didn’t have the right product commensurate to meet the demands of the season. What the world needed at that time was food, it was grain. Honey, spices, gum etc. were relevant but because of the calendar, the program of God, to set up Joseph, the world as a matter of necessity must come to Egypt to Joseph for food. God by His power and capacity to establish Joseph, to fulfill his destiny, and preserve Isreal His chosen ones, He routed a means through which the nations as a matter of necessity must come to Jospeh. This means that Jospeh and the products he has to offer cannot be ignored. I prophesy to you, as it was for Joseph so shall it be for you in this season in the name of Jesus. Lift up your voice and pray in the Holy Ghost! Say Lord give me the light the nations require, open my eyes that I may behold wondrous things written in thy law. Open the eyes of my heart, give me the grace to be fruitful at such a season as this. In Jesus mighty name we have prayed.

Number Five: Strategic covenant relationship, partnership or fellowship

Covenant relationship and partnership must be with covenant men. You must discern it, recognize it, acknowledge it, and walk in this consciousness. As you walk with covenant people, you can’t experience scarcity or lack or retrogression. Lot increased because of Abraham, Laban increased because of Jacob, what about Ruth and Naomi? What about David in the territory of Naban? The list continues like that. Jesus said I am the vine and you are the branches. Abide in me and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine so also you can’t unless you abide in Me.

Judah in Genesis 43:3 described Jospeh as “the man representing Pharoah”. This statement speaks volume. It talks about access and acknowledgement of the authority bestowed on Jospeh by Pharoah. Having a good relationship with a Jospeh is vital for certain nations at such a season as this.  There are leaders like Jospeh, there are nations like Joseph, there are relationships like Joseph. You must discern them, recognize them, you must partner with them.

What is the significance of this for leaders? Number one: they will give interpretation and meaning to your dreams, number two: It means reconciling relationships you have severed or having a strong bilateral tie with nations that have surplus, and it takes humility to accomplish that. When you have a strong tie with nations that have, you will also have. It is impossible to be the friend of a king and royalty will not rub on you. Let me repeat this again for the sake of emphasis. Did you see Abraham and Lot? Did you see Ruth and Naomi? Did you see Jesus and His disciples? Did you see Jacob and Laban? The list continues. Your association determines your experience. David said surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. The reason is because He has an association with the Lord as his shepherd. The moment Jospeh revealed himself to his brothers, they ate and drank, in the palace, as if that was not enough, they were given the land of Goshen. Relationship and reconciliation can be likened to 2 Peter 2 verse 9 where the Scripture says we are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, God’s own special people did you see that? God’s own special people whom he has called out of darkness into the kingdom of light to show forth his praise.  

This is not a season to severe vital union or relationships or burn bridges, this is a season where we must ask for the wisdom and grace to discern or recognize and keep relevant relationships that could either make or mar our destinies. This seems to be like a season where the only value, the only means of exchange that could get Israel food was neither money, nor gum, nor spices, nor honey. It was relationship. They could have had all the choicest produce of the land but without good relationship with Joseph they would die of starvation. They may decide to have all the money to be able to buy food from Egypt but that would only be possible if Jospeh didn’t recognize them. So, relationship became the key.

Number Six: Stay in your primary place of assignment or calling.

Another word for staying in your primary place of assignment is purpose and service, livivng your life by design and commitment to the kingdom and His agenda. You are as rich and as powerful as the nation you serve or represent. Apostle Peter in Acts 6:4. said we give ourselves continually to prayer and the ministry of the word. Blessings, promotion, protection and abundance are reserved for those carrying the out the assignment of the kingdom. Take for example the Ambassador of the United Staes of America, wherever he goes he carries the glory, power, riches, honor and backing of America. That’s how powerful service, assignment and calling could be. Apostle Paul said let everyone remain in the calling with which they were called. The calling in the assignment and how to remain in that calling is by pressing on towards the mark, towards the goal of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. This is the wisdom for such a time as this.

For every assignment or calling there is an enablement, provision sufficient to complete the task. God will not recruit you and leave you just like that to figure out your assignment on your own. Whatever the assignment requires He makes it available. Jesus said to His disciples, when I sent you out two by two did you lack anything? The reason for the scarcity and want is because you abandoned the service in pursuit of your own assignment.

Nations that wants to experience abundance must have a structure put in place, everyone must be marching in their own column, no one is breaking ranks and the results will be mind blowing.

Number Seven: Sow seeds

I). By giving

A nation, a leader that gives is a nation that will never be in want or be stranded. It doesn’t matter how small or plenty you have. Bible says cast your bread on many waters. One of the primary determinants of abundance is giving. Jesus said give and it will be given back to you good measure pressed down shaken together and running over.

II). By Instructions

The Bible says if you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good of the land. If you are willing and you obey the instructions—the word of God you will eat the good of the Land.

The Bible likened the rain to be the word of God in Isaiah 55. It says as the rain falls from heaven and brings forth and bud so is my word. Then in Genesis the Bible says God did not send rain because there was no man to till the ground. So, if there is a man to receive instructions, the word of God and obey like Isaac did then there won’t be scarcity, there would be a bountiful harvest. So, the word of God is like a seed, when you sow it there is a guarantee that there would be fruitfulness and abundance.

So, based on this premise, the Lord instructed Isaac not to go to Egypt when there was famine in his days. Instead, the Lord instructed him to sow. And the Bible says Then Isaac planted [seed] in that land [as a farmer] and reaped in the same year a hundred times [as much as he had planted], and the LORD blessed and favored him. Bible says And the man [Isaac] became great and gained more and more until he became very wealthy and extremely distinguished; 14he owned flocks and herds and a great household [with a number of servants], and the Philistines envied him.

III). Sow seeds by doing good, by showing little acts of kindness. Jesus said whatsoever you do to the least of these, you do it unto me.

Number Eight: Recognize the building blocks of nations

Joseph said to Pharoah, look for a man discreet and wise. Apostle Peter said in Acts 6:3 seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom whom we may appoint over this business.

When you want to discover the secret of G7 nations, how they thrive economically, don’t look at how powerful their currency is, or how buoyant the economy is, or what policies that have been put in place. Look at the building blocks and replicate same. The building blocks talks about the people. Nations must give priority to building men, it is these men that will in turn build the nation. This talks about men with the word of God and ingredients such as dedication and hunger for growth and capacity building, diligence, integrity, faithfulness, passion, formulation of policies by wisdom and righteousness. I call these factors steppingstones to greatness. Those who have built prosperous nations are people who are passionate about innovations and how to make the society better; bearing the burden of nation building in all sectors. People who have poured their heart into the work, people who have the will power, who are determined to make that very nation, institution or family work in every aspect. They don’t throw blames, they take responsibility, they rise to the occasion. These are indices that have made nations have abundance in all things.

The Bible says the sons of Issachar had understanding of the times and seasons and knew what Israel should do, and their brethren were under their command. How many leaders are like the sons of Issachar? How many nations consult the sons of Issachar? The direction you must take in such a season as this is to call upon the name of the Lord. Inasmuch as God has called a famine, as many that call upon the name of the Lord, as many that runs into the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Number Nine: Go to the king or listen to the prophet

A certain prophet named Agabus was able to discern a season of famine and the church were able to put modalities in place to send food supplies and cushion the effect. When Jeremiah needed resources to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, he prayed to God and went to the king. The Bible says, “Believe in God and you shall be established, believe in His prophets and you shall prosper”. When you go to the king or the prophet, there is a posture you take. Desperate times does not only call for desperate measure, it takes a posture to overturn hard times.

So, this brings us to the place of responsibility as leaders. How do I know this? The Bible says in 2 Chronicles 1:15, it says; “The king made silver and gold as common in Jerusalem as stones, and cedar as plentiful as sycamore-fig trees in the foothills during his reign.” How did he do that? Because God gave him wisdom. so, he became a marvel and a wonder, kings brought gifts. Silver and gold, and cedar are one of the scarcest commodities you could ever find in his days, yet the king gave the people this experience. I like you to note the concluding part of that verse, it says “during his reign.” So, there is an experience a tenure of leadership brings to the people. If it is hardship, scarcity and oppression then you are not an upright leader. Samuel brought the word of God to Isreal when there was scarcity of revelation in Isreal. Prophet Elisha turned scarcity to abundance by the word of God, Jesus multiplied 5 loaves of bread and two fishes. Jesus said I have come that you may have life and have it more abundantly. Did you see that? 

The Bible says when they say there is a casting down, you will rise to say there is a lifting up for me. That there is scarcity and famine in the nation does not mean you should be included, that there is a fall in purchasing power does not mean you should be in lack or in want. Except that you are far away from home. Or that the Lord is not your shepherd.

Think about this. It was when the king visited prophet Elisha that he said “by this time tomorrow”. A word that brought the famine to an end. As far as the matter of food was concerned in Egypt, you have to go to Joseph. Joseph by divine direction made food available in Egypt. When revelations was scarce in Israel God raised Samuel. Have you wondered why the children of Israel run to Moses each time they are hungry or thirsty? The woman with one jar of oil came to Elisha and Elisha multiplied it. Have you wondered why that woman who said help o king had to run to the king? The simple reason is because it is believed that there is something very scarce that you as a leader, as a king must make available for the people. The Bible says concerning king Solomon, “The king made silver and gold as plentiful in Jerusalem as stone. And valuable cedar timber was as common as the sycamore-fig trees that grow in the foothills of Judah.” 2 Chronicles 1:16.

Perhaps you may want to ask, which of the king should I go to, or run to? You must run to Jesus! He is the King of kings and Lord of lords. So, what has Jesus come to make sufficient and abundant to us? He said in John 10 verse 10. I have come that you may have life and have it more abundantly. Jesus has come to give us abundant of life, riches, wisdom, glory, strength, blessings, and honor. He has come to make His grace suffucient for us. 

In conclusion, it is often said that everything rises and falls on leadership; the degree of a leader’s effectiveness or how far the impact of your leadership can go is a function of how effective you have led or have been leading as a leader and your effectiveness is a function of your capacity to see far, see solutions, or improvise. What I am saying in essence is this; if there is scarcity, there could also be plenty or almost sufficient. The difference is in leadership; how you posture yourself and how you lead yourself and others.

Thanks for the gift of your time, Apeh Francis Abah!
Feel free to share your thoughts or testimony in the comment box below. I promise to respond as soon as possible!