"Now his master saw that the Lord was with [Joseph] and how the Lord caused all that he did to prosper in his hand. So Joseph found favor in his sight...and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he owned he put in his charge."
Genesis 39:3,4
If you want to find a biblical example of someone who was faithful in little things, turn to the last chapters of Genesis. As you read through the story of Joseph, you see a man who was considered trustworthy:
He was given responsibility to shepherd his father's flocks "while he was still a youth" (Genesis 37:2).
After he was sold into slavery by his brothers, he ended up in the house of Potiphar, where he performed his duties well enough to be appointed overseer of all that Potiphar owned (v. 39:5).
He refused the amorous advances of Potiphar's wife. Unfortunately, he was thrown into prison when she lied and said he had tried to seduce her (vv. 39:7-18).
His character in prison was so strong that the chief jailer placed him in charge of all the prisoners (vv.39:21-23).
After interpreting Pharaoh's dream, he was taken from prison and made a ruler in Egypt, second in power only to Pharaoh (vv. 41:38-41).
Joseph never sought to move up in responsibility. He was faithful to fulfill his responsibilities and content to allow God to give him more. Even his words to Potiphar's wife reveal his faithful character: "Behold, with me here, my master does not concern himself with anything in the house, and he has put all that he owns in my charge.... He has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do this great evil, and sin against God?" (Genesis 39:8,9).
Many people have ambitions, but sometimes I wonder if our ambitions are in the right area. Jesus said the greatest ambition in Mark 10:35-45 was to be the slave of all-a servant.
Do you want to be a leader? Then you've got to be a servant.
Discuss: Do others consider you a servant? Perhaps a better question is do people treat you like a servant?
Pray: If you desire to have additional responsibilities, ask God to give you the desire to serve others.
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Excerpted from "Moments Together for Couples" by Dennis and Barbara Rainey.
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