When There is No Buying or Selling

Have you considered what you'll do when buying and/or selling requires the mark of the beast?  I've given some thought to this of late.  Of course, we are told earlier in the book of the Revelation that the people of YHWH will be given a mark, supernaturally.

* A word of caution here, even if it's presented under "religious" auspice, do not take a mark from any human, organization, or agency!

We also are told in the Revelation not everyone will survive not going with the "earthly plan" of that time, but in the meantime what will we do?  I'm raising a garden and livestock, as well as running a business, but when the time comes for a mark, I will no longer be able to sell.  Then what?  Here are a few thoughts I've had on this question.  I think barter will be a great idea amongst believers.  I'm hoping my product will serve as a tool of trade and I'm hoping others will want to trade their skills and products as well.

I'll be honest here, I've been a bit concerned about the coffee situation, once the mark is required for buying or selling.   I have learned that roasted acorns ground are a pretty nice substitute for coffee.  So far, the acorn crop around here is pretty amazing.  Oh, I'm still buying coffee for now, but when that time comes . . .

I'm also getting very serious about chickens this next spring.  If I'm going to be obedient to Messiah's words even through that time of tribulation if it takes place through my lifetime, I need to be able to feed people without buying food.  I think the realization that we talk about our spiritual stoicism through the end of days, but we often overlook the practical living side of what we'll do.  I've realized in the last few trips to town, I just don't buy much anymore.  I don't have as many stops to make and even when a dollar doesn't go far, I'm just not spending as much.  What I'm realizing, is my lifestyle is being affected less by the economy dictated in Washington, but I've still got a ways to go to "be ready . . ."

  We all talk like the tribulation is just about upon us and we are sure we won't take the mark of the beast, but what are we doing to prepare to be witnesses unto Y'hshuwah when we have been called to feed the hungry but cannot purchase what we need to share?   We sometimes seem to forget, at least I think I do, that there were coins and currency in Bible days, and taxes, but Messiah was not dependent upon that system and there is no record that manna fell around Him.

Arriving at a Price

We do need money or some form of buying power in this world for now, but I find myself often questioning how it is we came to determine what our time is worth.  Scripture says, we are to freely give what we've been freely given, and as a servant of El Shaddai, my time is not my own.  On top of that, the ideas for my products, be they books or soaps and oils; come from Him.  I'm just never quite sure how to arrive at a price for anything!  So, I figure according to the old standard of costs + overhead + supply.  That method worked for years and years.  Probably the main place I differ from our social perspective, is in valuing my free time verses "on the clock."  As a servant of YHWH, I don't really think of leisure time at all.  I rest every Shabbat.  In the evening, especially now that it gets dark so early, I want something to do, so it's a great time to work on formulas and write.

If I were watching a movie, how valuable would that time be?  If I was playing some computer game, what value would that have?  Since my lifestyle actually produces my living, I don't figure an hourly wage or work vs. leisure.  As I study Scripture, I'm just not sure how our hourly wage even fits into the figuring.  It seems, what I find, is land, produce, spices, fish, sheep, etc. had an accepted agreed upon price.  Fishermen weren't paid by the hour, they were paid by the fish.  Shepherds weren't paid by the hour, they tended their flock. The value of the sheep and the increase of the herd was in direct correlation to their health and safety.  The time a shepherd spent with his flock reflected in their well being, thus their value, but his specific time was not figured into the price.  I can attest from my own flocks and herds, up at midnight with a new arrival, as compared to a new one in the middle of the day, are not the variables at the time of sale.

In figuring the price of my soaps and oils, the variance in pricing is based upon the ingredients and supplies, and the value is based upon a good and satisfying finished product.  Books are the most difficult to establish a price, in that I truly do believe the words are given to me by Adonai.  I name a price, so the book sellers will carry them.  

A finished product used to be the point of work.  I can't imagine Solomon figuring an hourly wage on the construction of the Temple.  A good work ethic and pride in one's work, is what contributes to the true value of any product.  Ecclesiastes 9:10a was one of the first Bible passages I learned as a child.    

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might . . .

And Another Thing

We know for certain, the kingdom of heaven does not run on American currency.  Clearly our Creator gave us talents to make a living and a life in this world.  Time is what is measured for the glory of YHWH.  How we "spend" our time is reflective of our priorities and gratitude to Him.  It has come to my attention, however; we all receive an "allowance" so to speak, when the windows of heaven open . . .

I remember back in the days of prosperity teaching, Malachi 3:10 was quoted frequently.  Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, says YHWH 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.

I always thought it was funny that in the mainstream popular teaching, the only law that didn't get "nailed to the cross" had to do with tithing, but I digress . . .

Malachi 3:10 definitely addresses giving unto our Creator, but I'd like to share some insight I've discovered in His promise.  Did you know there is another passage in Scripture that refers to "open the windows of heaven" with the same words in Hebrew?  Genesis 7:11 contains those same Hebrew words.  In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.

Rain appears to be how our Heavenly Father pours His blessing.  Now that I've seen this, it makes sense, and I'm sorry I didn't see it sooner!  Rain is what causes the land to produce grass for the animals that will be meat and rain is what causes the crops to grow.  Rain provides the water we drink, the water the animals drink, and the fish live in, not to mention supported many a sea fairing journeys.

What rain "causes" doesn't necessarily provide all the things we define to be blessings, but the reality is, food and water are referenced continuously as blessings.  Flocks, herds, and harvests are the blessings of being the people of YHWH.  They always have been.  In Scripture, it was the people with flocks and herds and harvests that were wealthy and the merchants depended upon the shepherds and farmers to need their wares, rather than the other way around.

Throughout Scripture, when Israel was blessed, the crops yielded huge returns and the herds and flocks increased.  That is the standard of abundance!  The dustbowl that preceded the Great Depression bears witness as to what happens when the windows of heaven do not open to pour out a blessing.