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Genesis 39:1-6

“Now Joseph had been brought down to Egypt, and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard, an Egyptian, had bought him from the Ishmaelites who had brought him down there. The Lord was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, and he was in the house of his Egyptian master. His master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord caused all that he did to succeed in his hands. So Joseph found favor in his sight and attended him, and he made him overseer of his house and put him in charge of all that he had. From the time that he made him overseer in his house and over all that he had, the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; the blessing of the Lord was on all that he had, in house and field. So he left all that he had in Joseph’s charge, and because of him he had no concern about anything but the food he ate.”

 

Thoughts about Joseph’s Life

Of all that Joseph’s brothers did to him, they did not strip away God’s love for Joseph and God’s presence in his life.

  • Romans 8:35–39, NIV84 – Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:35–39, NIV84)  
    • Of all people who could choose to be angry at God, it would have been Joseph. However, through his ordeal, neither God’s love for Joseph nor God’s presence in his life were diminished. In fact, it may have been strengthened!  
  • The position Joseph was placed in was intentional so that God could glorify himself through the actions and attitude of Joseph.

 

Joseph’s Success is attributed to the LORD

“The Lord was with Joseph and he prospered…” (Genesis 39:2, NIV84)  

  • It was because of the Lord’s presence in Joseph’s life that He became successful. With the onset of “small” successes it is important to note that even the Egyptian master noticed this, and he attributed Joseph’s success to the Lord. What did Potiphar see? Other than the initial results, I am sure that he saw that Joseph was honest, hardworking, wisdom, and insight. If you and I read through the Scriptures, you will clearly see that these qualities please the Lord!B ecause Joseph was living and operating in this way, it was natural for the Lord to bless, and give him not just success, but also increase in wealth and stature in the eyes of others.

“To be a good steward requires Godliness” – Tim Russell

 

What was Joseph’s success?

  • First, he was put in charge of Potiphar’s household. ALL things owned by Potiphar was entrusted to his care.
  • Second, all that was put into Joseph’s care prospered or was “Blessed.”

Clearly Joseph’s success pointed to God. God worked in and through Joseph, which in turn brought about “blessing” to the belongings of Potiphar.

 

God blessed the house for Joseph’s sake.

  • All was taken care of.
  • “…he had no concern about anything but the food he ate.”

“The servant had all the care and trouble of the estate; the master had only the enjoyment of it.” (Matthew Henry’s Commentary).

 

Joseph worked hard to care for another man’s treasure.

  • Joseph was the “overseer” of someone else’s estate. ALL of their belongings were put into his care. Joseph, as far as we know and see in Scripture, he did not own anything inside the house (other than possibly his clothes). Potiphar’s business practices were not owned and/or Joseph had a personal investment in seeing the growth of possessions. 
  • Joseph’s care for the household of Potiphar parallels our role as Stewards over God’s assets. We are not the owners…(Go back to episode 45 titled “God Owns It All”)…We are just the care-takers of all things placed into our hands for this short season that we call Life. 

 

We should strive to be like Christ. Let Joseph point us to this truth.

 

Joseph’s life encourages us to be like Christ.

So what’s the point? Should you try to be just like Joseph? No, that’s not really the point. There is much wisdom that we can glean from his life and ministry. The point is to realize that Joseph is a type of Christ. He points us to the need for a great steward of our souls, Jesus Christ, who will faithfully care for all those who by faith cling to him.  He was faithful in all he did, no matter how much grief or hardship his stewardship of the mission of God cost him. We should strive to be like Christ. Let Joseph point us to this truth. Our Stewardship Matters because the mission of God will not fail. Just like Joseph’s faithfulness in stewardship preserved the nation of Israel and make way for the messiah and our salvation, our stewardship over all of God’s resources will see to the furtherance of His kingdom and purpose on earth. 

 

 

 

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