Reading for today: Genesis 39:4-6
Joseph had great administrative talent. He instinctively knew how to manage people
and their possessions. It must have been
quite obvious to those around him because it didn’t take long for people in
authority to appoint him as overseer of their domains.
In our reading for today, we see the
first example of this. Potiphar made
Joseph his personal servant and shortly thereafter, appointed him overseer of what
Potiphar owned: his other servants, his household, his land – everything.
Joseph could have taken advantage of
his position, lording it over other servants, quietly pilfering money or Potiphar’s
possessions; even his master’s wife could be his. Who would know? His master “left everything he owned in
Joseph’s charge…and he did not concern himself with anything…” (vs 6). He wouldn’t check up on Joseph – he trusted
him implicitly. Why not take advantage,
Joseph? Why not grab something for
yourself? The answer? He trusted His God for outcomes, as he
faithfully served wherever God planted him.
The Lord was with Joseph, others noticed God’s blessing on his life; and
he found favor with those over him: Potiphar, the chief jailer, Pharaoh.
Jesus said, “The one who is faithful
in the little things will be faithful in the big things…” (Luke 16:10, Phillips). That certainly played out in Joseph‘s life –
he began by overseeing one man’s household, and wound up running an entire
nation! (See Genesis 41:33-44 for how this occurred)
Now, I don’t think that God has in
mind for you and me to someday be a ruler of a nation, but does He not want us
to be faithful in small ways so that He might use us in larger ways? How are we doing in the faithfulness category
of our lives: in finances, in relationships, in use of our time?
Dear Lord, we are grateful for examples of faithfulness like Joseph. Show us as we do a careful self-check where
we may not be trustworthy. Help us be
faithful and true to You in even the smallest things in our lives. Amen.
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