Years of Plenty, Years of Famine with Mark Biller

Back in 2006, I wrote an editorial drawing on this lesson, warning that the “years of plenty” could give way to economic trouble. Just two years later, the 2008–2009 Global Financial Crisis proved the point. Many of the underlying issues from that period—such as excessive debt and systemic risk—remain unresolved to this day.

The Challenges We Face Now

While I don’t have the same sense of foreboding I felt in 2006, there are signs of stress in the global financial system:

1. Runaway Debt – U.S. debt has risen from $10 trillion in 2008 to over $36 trillion today.
2. Bigger Banks – Post-crisis reforms led to further consolidation, making the largest banks even larger.
3. Central Bank Intervention – Years of near-zero interest rates and quantitative easing have encouraged dependence on stimulus.
4. Political Division – Our political climate makes tackling systemic issues even more challenging.

Preparing Personally for the Next Storm

• Pay down debt and reduce obligations.
• Build an emergency fund to weather personal or economic downturns.
• Diversify investments, including assets that hold value in inflationary times—such as gold, real estate, commodities, or even small allocations to Bitcoin.
• Live below your means so you can give generously when needs arise.

Financial Preparedness as Spiritual Opportunity

Preparedness isn’t just about protecting yourself—it’s about positioning yourself to help others. Crises, whether national or personal, can open hearts to the gospel. If our finances are in order, we can respond like Joseph—meeting physical needs and sharing the spiritual hope found in Christ.

If you’re in a season of famine right now, don’t lose heart. Trust God as your ultimate provider, take small steps forward, and connect with your church or community for support. Seasons change, and preparation now can mean you’ll be ready when the next opportunity to serve—or survive—comes.

On Today’s Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:

• I’ve owned a timeshare for years, but I think it’s a bad investment. The maintenance fees are high, and I believe there are better vacation options. It will cost $2,000 to get out of it, but my wife likes it. How can I bring this up without hurting her feelings?
• In the Old Testament, tithing was clearly defined, but in the New Testament, Paul says giving should be something you decide in your heart. Some people tell me they give as they feel led—sometimes more, sometimes less. What are your thoughts on that approach to giving?

Resources Mentioned:

• Faithful Steward: FaithFi’s New Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner)
• Years of Plenty, Years of Famine Revisited by Mark Biller (Sound Mind Investing Article)
• Sound Mind Investing (SMI)
• Wisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on Money
• Look At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and Anxiety
• Rich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich Fool
• Find a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA) or Certified Christian Financial Counselor (CertCFC)
• FaithFi App