📖 Biblical Definition
A store of grain is the accumulated provision laid up against future need. Joseph’s seven-year grain-storage in Egypt (Genesis 41:35-49) saved many lives — including his own family — when the seven years of famine came. The ant of Proverbs stores in summer for winter: "Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest" (Proverbs 6:6-8). Christ’s parable of the rich fool warns against treating barns as the soul’s security (Luke 12:16-21). Both lessons stand: store wisely, but do not trust the store. The Owner of the harvest is the LORD.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
(Composite.) Stored grain; the accumulated harvest laid up against future need.
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Webster: store — “a quantity laid up for future use; supply; provision.”
Two storage scenes anchor the biblical concept: Joseph's wise storage (Gen 41:48) and the foolish farmer's self-centered storage (Lk 12:18). One saves a nation; one loses a soul.
📖 Key Scripture
Genesis 41:48 — "He gathered up all the food of the seven years, which were in the land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the cities."
Proverbs 6:8 — "Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest."
Luke 12:18 — "I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods."
Luke 12:21 — "So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Modern wealth-management culture confuses biblical foresight with biblical hoarding; Christ's parable distinguishes them sharply.
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Joseph stored grain for a coming famine and a watching nation; he was provident. The rich fool stored grain so he could say to his soul, take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry; he was an idolater. Same act, opposite hearts.
The household's savings is therefore not a moral neutral. Stored toward future provision and generosity, it is wisdom; stored toward self-secured comfort, it competes with God. The test question: am I rich toward God?
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Hebrew otzar (storehouse, treasure) is the foundational term.
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Hebrew otzar — treasury, storehouse; the place of accumulated provision (Mal 3:10).
Note: same word for both grain stores and royal treasuries.
Usage
"Joseph stored toward famine and a watching nation; the rich fool stored toward self."
"Same act, opposite hearts."
"Am I rich toward God? — the diagnostic question."