Spent: Finding Freedom with What You Have – Working the Plan

Working the Plan

Spent: Finding Freedom with What You Have

Matt Flindt

Nov. 9, 2025

Genesis 41:33-36 (NLT)

God’s Savings Plan:

• There are supervisors over the storage of the grain.
• They put back 20% of all the grain produced.
• They did this during the good years.

Why is it so hard to work “The Savings Plan”?

Do you find it hard to save because ?

Do you find it hard to save because ?

Do you find it hard to save because ?

Philippians 4:19 (NLT)

Proverbs 6:6-8 (NLT)

Do you find it hard to save because ?

Financial issues start in the , not in the .

Proverbs 27:20 (NLT)

Proverbs 13:7 (NLT)

Do you find it hard to save because ?

1 Timothy 6:17 (NLT)

How can we depend on God’s “Plan for Saving” and not on our money?

1. Recognize who

Psalms 50:10 (NLT)

2. Pray for

Proverbs 21:5 (NLT)

Proverbs 13:11 (NLT)

Genesis 41:35 (NLT)

Good Years: This is when we are working

Gather: This is setting aside a portion

Store It Away: Put it somewhere safe

Guard It: Don’t touch it, don’t spend it

Genesis 41:49 (NLT)

3. Save with a

Genesis 41:53-54 (NLT)

If you knew a famine was coming, what would you do?

• Hope for the best
• Wait for the right time
• Start saving now

Call to Action:

1. Ask yourself “What is keeping me from saving?”

2. Start small

(MULTILINE)

Discussion Questions

1. Understanding the Biblical Model:
   In Genesis 41:33–36, Joseph creates a savings plan for Egypt during the years of plenty. What principles from Joseph’s plan can we apply to our personal finances today?
2. The Challenge of Saving:
   Which of the reasons listed in the sermon (lack of plan, not enough income, too much debt, confusion about biblical teaching, lack of restraint) most resonates with you — and why?
3. Heart vs. Wallet:
   The sermon says, “Financial issues start in the heart, not in the wallet.”
   What does that mean to you personally, and how might your attitudes or desires affect your financial habits?
4. Trusting God’s Provision:
   How does Philippians 4:19 encourage you to trust God rather than your bank account?
5. Learning from Creation:
   Proverbs 6:6–8 encourages us to learn from the ant’s diligence. What habits or disciplines can we learn from this example when it comes to saving?
6. Recognizing Ownership:
   Psalm 50:10 reminds us that everything belongs to God.
   How does viewing your money and possessions as belonging to God change the way you manage them?
7. Wisdom in Planning:
   Proverbs 21:5 says, “Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity.” What steps can you take this week to start (or strengthen) your own “savings plan”?
8. Restraint in Spending:
   How can we develop greater self-control or restraint in our spending habits? What spiritual disciplines could help with that?
9. Storing and Guarding:
   The sermon outlined Joseph’s method: Gather, Store, Guard.
   What does each of these mean in practical terms for your financial life?
10. Call to Action:
    The sermon ends with, “Ask yourself what is keeping me from saving—and start small.” What is one small, specific step you can take this week to begin saving or improving your stewardship?