Stewards of Joy

Nehemiah 8:5-12

Thank you, pastors and teachers who serve as today’s Levites.  Thank you for “reading from the Book, making it clear and giving the meaning so that people understand.”  Thank you for listening to God’s call on your life.

Thank you for attending Seminary or participating in other means of study and for taking your education seriously.  It’s because of your dedication that we can “celebrate with great joy, because we now understand the words that have been made known to us.”

Thank you for putting things into perspective and making lessons applicable to our lives.  The Bible is an eternal document that will live on because of stewards like you.  His Word survives because you continue to explain the meaning behind the stories.

During Advent, a special story will be retold which many of us have heard a hundred times, but you will bring it to life for those to whom it is brand new - the story of a baby who has and will continue to change the world.  May we all experience the joy of the Lord this Christmas.

FAITHFULNESS: NO SMALL THING

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.