Matters of Faith

“FOR THE GOOD OF OTHERS!”

By: Rev. J. Loren Russell                              

Genesis 39:4-5 (NKJV)

“So Joseph found favor in his sight, and served him. Then he made him overseer of his house, and all that he had he put under his authority. So it was, from the time that he had made him overseer of his house and all that he had, that the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the Lord was on all that he had in the house and in the field.” 

“What’s in it for me?” If you have not said it yourself, I am sure you have heard someone else ask that question. Some people won’t do anything unless they are personally benefited. If you are prone to think like that, perhaps the story of Joseph may give you a different perspective. 

Joseph had what we might call a string of bad luck. He was sold into slavery by his brothers, taken to Egypt and there sold to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh. But the Bible says that the Lord was with Joseph. Potiphar noticed that everything prospered in Joseph’s hand, so he made him overseer of everything he had. The Lord then blessed Potiphar’s house and all his possessions for Joseph’s sake. 

Things took a turn for the worse for him when Potiphar’s wife unsuccessfully tried to seduce him. She accused him of rape and he was thrown into the dungeon of an Egyptian jail. Even in jail the Lord was with Joseph and the jailer showed him favor. He committed all the prisoners to Joseph’s jurisdiction, as well as unidentified operations of the jail itself. Whatever Joseph did, the Lord made it prosper.  

The Lord blessed Joseph with ability to interpret dreams, which he did for the baker and the butler of Pharoah, who were also incarcerated with him. Joseph told the baker he would be hanged and the butler restored to his position in the palace as chief butler. But when the butler was reinstated, he did not mention Joseph to Pharoah as he promised he would. So the misery continued as Joseph languished in that Egyptian jail, but God’s favor was still with him.

Wouldn’t you know it, two years later Pharoah had a dream. It was more like a nightmare. It caused Pharoah a great deal of anguish. The butler remembered Joseph and recommended him to Pharoah as someone who could interpret his dream. Pharoah said to Joseph, “I have heard it said of you that you can understand a dream, to interpret it.” Joseph’s reply revealed that he knew where his ability came from when he said, “It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace.”

The favor God gave Joseph was for the good of others. He benefited also, but his willingness to suffer resulted in others being bountifully blessed. His blessings were a by-product of the good he bought to others. 

If you are wondering why you are going through, and others seem to be on the receiving end, I suggest that you take another look at Joseph’s life, and the blessings you have been receiving while in the midst of your trials and tribulations. Like Joseph, the Lord could be using the good you do for others as a set up. “And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.”

Be Blessed!

Rev. J. Loren Russell is the Clergy Officiant at the Evangelical Church of God and associate minister at Goodwill Baptist Church, both in the Bronx. He is the President/CEO of The JLR Company/J Loren R Consulting, LLC for Church Financial & Strategic Consulting (718-328-8096) and is the producer and host of “Matters of Faith – The Radio Show” on Monday nights from 8:00 – 10:00 PM on The Matters of Faith YouTube channel. Be sure to ‘Friend, Like, and Share.”  Email us at mattersoffaith.mof@gmail.com. Order your copy of Matters of Faith: The eBook at www.smashwords.com/books/view/993177.