FROM FREE TO SLAVES

“As for the people, [Yosef] reduced them to serfdom city by city, from one end of Egypt’s territory to the other.”
Genesis 47:21

As the people of Egypt began to run out of money, they had to find a new currency to use in order to purchase the grain needed to survive. The currency following money became their livestock. But within a year their livestock had also diminished. Following this the currency soon became the offering of their land, and finally of themselves. All of this, however, was because of the effects of the famine.
Yosef said to the people who continued to approach him that as he continued to acquire the people and their land, he would give them seed. With this seed they were to do three things. First, they were expected to give twenty percent to Pharaoh. The remaining eighty percent was to be split up by the people for their personal re-seeding and their consumption. It is here that I find an example that may be wise for us as well. As a parent I find myself trying to teach my children ways to be responsible. When it comes to money, there is no exception. This idea of giving a portion to Adonai (tithe), giving a portion for saving (re-seeding), and giving a portion for consumption (spending) is a plan that we also use.
But it is in the end result of where the famine left the people that we find the greatest change. The people went from a free state to being owned. They went from having money, livestock, and land to a position of broke in every area. The effects of the famine took their toll, yet still Adonai was in control.

Genesis 47:11-27