Just Some Thoughts

Establishing some sustainable non-expenses or low cost perpetuity is actually preferable to savings . . . For instance:
home grown veggies are preferable to produce "on sale." We have no idea what is actually in our produce any more, and considering the wax and GMO, we really have no idea how old it is. Consider the produce in a farmer's market. It doesn't have the "staying power" found in the produce aisle.

I've discovered some great news for those in the suburbs. Many residential areas now allow a few hens. I'm not sure how "free range" these hens are allowed to be, but there are some really cute "city chicken coups" for sale and even if total free range is not possible, you can know they are not living in a 1 foot square box and you can choose what to feed them.


Crafting and improvising is also a great part of this lifestyle. Beach umbrellas are a great idea for staking out a goat in an area that needs "weeds whacked!" Not only were the goats thrilled with their special treat, but I didn't use any gas or have fuel emissions using a weed whacker. And, unlike a weed-whacker, at the end of the day, I enjoyed the ultimate in recycled "green." A weed-whacker doesn't give milk. More sustainable, perpetual savings. With a few hens and a goat, I can walk right on past the dairy section. Just in grocery savings alone, that's over $10.00 a week, add to the fact I'm enjoying free range organic eggs, raw goat's milk, and feta cheese, that ups the savings from $10.00 a week to organic and gourmet specialties in the neighborhood of $25.00 dollars a week. Truth be told, I wouldn't spend that for the "extras" but instead I enjoy the extras for what would amount to $1.50 a week in feed for 4-6 hens and goats just graze through most of the year.

Hens and goats enjoy the garden extras, like tops off the root vegetables and seeds and peelings. Win/Win for All!
Saving money is great, but I believe even greater stewardship is investing in sustainable resources that are perpetual. Keep in mind, though, when it comes to investing, some saving and planning is essential to be ready when the opportunity is presented.

Time for Action

For the most part, our society has taken the lead from Washington and we're becoming "all talk." If you doubt me, look at the number of ministries, pastors, and rabbis, collecting on Facebook. As a society, we are no longer a people of action, just talk. People are talking and talking and talking about all the wisdom and insight into the wrongfulness of others, while doing little else than talk. It is time for action.

If Washington can keep us all talking and lulled into waiting on "their" next collective move, we'll still be sitting here doing nothing when Armageddon begins! There are things in Scripture that are going to happen, are going to take place, regardless of what we post and warn about on social media or from the bema and pulpit. The choice we have, and I believe, is what sets the Other 1 Percent apart, is the decision to stop depending upon government and world solutions, without actually dropping out . . . I'm not opposed to becoming self sufficient and off the grid, etc., but it isn't the first necessary step.

The first step is to realize our Creator, YHWH, really does know what we have need of. He also clearly defines the difference between NEED and GREED, and He expects us to the same. Our Creator is efficient and waste offends Him. He doesn't like provision wasted, He doesn't like sustenance wasted, and He clearly doesn't like talents to go unused. Y'hshuwah's parable indicated everyone gets at least one talent, and the Psalmist says the righteous will not beg. I realize in our society, that definition of begging is open to interpretation, but suffice it to say, most of us could do with less than we have.

The next step is to see what our Creator has promised in His Word and what He expects from us. For instance, and I'll probably address this further in Holy Homesteading, but for me to trust YWHW for rain for the garden, in it's season, I need to be obedient to His Word, and I need to get the seeds in the ground in the proper season, as well. I'm not as interested in saving money as I am in harvesting seeds. I'm not so concerned about currency as I am about barter potential. Money is only a tool to obtain something I cannot grow or make. I'm thinking that is the fundamental difference between The One Percent, The 98%, and the Other 1%.

Serious Soul Searching

How much am I willing to share when it all hits the fan? Especially with those who are ignoring the warning? As of right now, I cannot honestly answer that, but I am seeking my Maker to receive His answer. I have spoken with a few other "Other 1 Percenters" on this topic and truthfully, it's a sensitive subject. Where is the line drawn? We all know the story of the Little Red Hen, and this preparation lifestyle can bring that out in all of us.

Where is the line between being kind and being played? Where is the line between sharing and providing? Undoubtedly as conditions continue to decline and trust continues to dwindle, there will still be need, but where will the answers and solutions be found? Where is the line between discernment and judgment? I'm truly beginning to think the other 1 percent could serve to be a real source of valuable information and example.

I'm beginning to think The Other 1 Percent will serve YHWH, and humanity, in some rather unconventional ways. It will go well beyond week-end attendance at some building, it won't be all "religiousness." I wouldn't be surprised if the last days prophets and apostles are wearing overalls and broom-skirts . . . gender specified, of course! This was only an example of work clothes, not a uniform. I also won't be surprised if the last days Pharisees are saying all the "right words" all over social media, while living Biblically "casual" and system dependent lifestyles. I'm also thinking I need to know, not what I am willing to do, but what my Creator is asking of me. I have a tendency to "want to include everyone," but Romans 8:29-30 indicates my zealous inclusion is inaccurate and presumptuous. There is nothing new under the sun, so just as the majority has been apathetic or wrong in most every historic situation, the end of days will be no exception.

I'm not saying the "Other 1 Percent" will all look like the subjects in American Gothic, but by the same token, I believe the end of days will put an end to the priorities that are presently held by many. I can honestly say, I have more than enough, but I can honestly say, I'm picky with whom I choose to share it. I got a taste of this years before I was homesteading and as current events continue to unfold, I am getting a glimpse as to what I was actually experiencing. Back in the late 90's the flip side to the "prosperity teaching" was "indulgent poverty." Those were situations in which the participants were usually in judgment of the religious teaching of wealth, so they didn't go at all, or attended a little church that ministered to the poor . . . which was them! They had funds for all sorts of frivolous desires on pay day, but had no problem asking for groceries later in the month. So while both ends of the religious spectrum were begging, the middle was supporting then entire fiasco, exactly on the same model as the government and banking have been operating for years.

I prayed about this 15 years ago and I'm so glad I did. I believe the Other 1 Percent will be helping those who are just now, coming into the knowledge of what it is to live by faith. I also believe the Other 1 Percent will end up being judged by society. I believe the Other 1 Percent will be helping those who are willing to roll up their sleeves and grab a hoe or a milk bucket. I also believe the Other 1 Percent will be condemned for teaching children to work! I believe, as a member of the Other 1 Percent, I won't support or assist those who have "more worldly needs" than I do. I also believe the Other 1 Percent will be labeled, outcasts, but it will not be the goal. We all know someone now that just has to orchestrate themselves to be the "persecuted outcast." That's not what I'm seeing as fellowship in the Other 1 Percent. I believe the Other 1 Percent won't have time for much technology or entertainment, but will be satisfied with an accomplished day, good food, and blessed fellowship.

I believe the Other 1 Percent will be in this world but not of this world . . .

Supporting What We Believe In

So often, we hear about people getting burned out about supporting wealthy ministries and tired of all the charities calling for donations, and I would agree. I see no reason for a minister to need to be a millionaire and if G-d intended for him to be a millionaire, he wouldn't have to keep asking people for money, G-d would just give it to him! As for charities, they kind of shoot themselves in the foot with their political special interests and social agendas, not to mention anywhere up to 85% of the proceeds go to administrative costs. On the flip side of that, as much as I don't want to pay for a preacher's mc-mansion, I don't want to buy a beer for a person who approaches me, asking for money. I want to help, but I want my help to actually help . . .

There are getting to be more and more people asking for money, just everywhere. I think this last time I went to Joplin was the first time someone didn't approach me in a parking lot, begging. I have a different way of handling that. I try to take a sack lunch with me when I go to town, for just such an occasion. I don't turn them away hungry and I also give them a copy of my latest book. I figure it could be a life changing read or if they don't choose to read it, it's going to end up somewhere accessible to the general public. Perhaps this sounds a bit calloused, but when someone approaches me for money, I feel food is the the issue, or should be so that's what I offer.

I do make it a point, like so many others, of supporting what I believe in. Every year, I try to give away a small beginning of a starter herd and flock, along with my book, "Simply Abundant." An unrelated buck and doe will have someone goat-herding in no time and three hens and a rooster will provide breakfast as well as an alarm clock, set for the crack of dawn. I'm not a charitable organization, so that makes it even easier to just give according to what YHWH lays on my heart.

For folks who want to support lavish ministries, that is their prerogative and for those who believe in organized charities, that's great too. Having witnessed some rather unseemly scruples in some of these "outfits," I'd rather not contribute, but rather than use the bad perspective to do nothing, I've simply headed off the beaten path to contribute to what I believe in. As I meet more people who are no longer seeking politics or religion for answers, there are more people helping in ways that are not done by agencies and organizations. Doing what I can actually do to help someone become independent or even better, become utterly dependent upon G-d, is helping according to my provision and the actual need, rather than the lifestyle of need. Giving what is needed and teaching to live within one's means, while not just throwing money at a problem to make me feel better, is what truly makes up the vision of The Other 1 Percent.