“Adversity is sometimes hard upon a man; but for one man who can stand prosperity, there are a hundred who will stand adversity.” Thomas Carlyle
“Not every man can carry a full cup. ” J. Oswald Sanders
“When two full years had passed, Pharaoh had a dream. ” – Genesis 41:1
“Then it came to pass, at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh had a dream; and behold, he stood by the river. Suddenly, there came up out of the river seven cows, fine looking and fat; and they fed in the meadow…..”
“…..Then behold, seven other cows came up after them out of the river, ugly and gaunt, and stood by the other cows on the bank of the river. And the ugly and gaunt cows ate up the seven fine looking and fat cows…..”
“…..So Pharaoh awoke. He slept and dreamed a second time; and suddenly, seven heads of grain come up on one stalk, plump and good. Then behold, seven thin heads, blighted by the east wind, sprang up after them…..”
“…..And the seven thin heads devoured the seven plump and full heads. So Pharaoh awoke, and indeed, it was a dream. ” - Genesis 41:1-7
“I c an’t do it by myself, but God will tell you what it means.” – Genesis 41:16
“Now, therefore, let Pharaoh select a discerning and wise man, and set him over the land of Egypt. Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, to collect one-fifth of the produce of the land of Egypt in the seven plentiful years…..”
“…..And let them gather all the food of those good years that are coming, and store up grain under the authority of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities…..”
“….. Then that food shall be as a reserve for the land for the seven years of famine which shall be in the land of Egypt, that the land may not perish during the famine. ” – Genesis 41:33-36
“Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?” - Genesis 41:38
“Inasmuch as God has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. You shall be over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word…..”
“…..only in regard to the throne will I be greater than. And Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.’” – Genesis 41:39-41
“ The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord; He directs it like a watercourse wherever He pleases. ” – Proverbs 21:1
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develop perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. ” – James 1:2-4
“Then Pharaoh took his signet ring off his hand and put it on Joseph’s hand; and he clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck. And he had him ride in the second chariot which he had, and they cried out before him, ‘Bow the knee!’…..”
“…..So he set him over all the land of Egypt. Pharaoh also said to Joseph, ‘I am Pharaoh, and without your consent no man may lift his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.’” - Genesis 41:42-45
Joseph’s Perks 1. Unlimited expense account
Joseph’s Perks 1. Unlimited expense account 2. Impressive clothing
Joseph’s Perks 1. Unlimited expense account 2. Impressive clothing 3. Impressive status symbols
Joseph’s Perks 1. Unlimited expense account 2. Impressive clothing 3. Impressive status symbols 4. Exclusive transportation
Joseph’s Perks 1. Unlimited expense account 2. Impressive clothing 3. Impressive status symbols 4. Exclusive transportation 5. New name
Joseph’s Perks 1. Unlimited expense account 2. Impressive clothing 3. Impressive status symbols 4. Exclusive transportation 5. New name 6. Prestigious wife
“People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil…..”
“…..Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. ” - 1 Timothy 6:9-10
Joseph’s Wise Stewardship of Power and Prestige A. He willingly ACCEPTED THE PROMOTION
Joseph’s Wise Stewardship of Power and Prestige B. He graciously ACCEPTED THE PERKS that came with the position
“ When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan. ” – Proverbs 29:2
“No one from the east or west or from the desert can exalt a man. But it is God who judges. He brings one down, He exalts another.” – Psalm 75:6-7
Joseph’s Wise Stewardship of Power and Prestige C. He was DILIGENT FOR A PROLONGED PERIOD
“Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt. Now in the seven plentiful years the ground brought forth abundantly …..”
“…..So he gathered up all the food of the seven years which were in the land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the cities; he laid up in every city the food of the fields which surrounded them…..”
“…..Joseph gathered very much grain, as the sand of the sea, until he stopped counting, for it was immeasurable. ” - Genesis 41:46-49
Joseph’s Wise Stewardship of Power and Prestige D. He used his POSITION TO BENEFIT OTHERS
“There was no food, however, in the whole region because the famine was severe. Joseph collected all the money that was to be found in Egypt and Canaan in payment for the grain they were buying, and he brought it to Pharaoh’s palace.” – Genesis 47:13-14
Joseph’s Wise Stewardship of Power and Prestige E. He made EVERYONE PAY FOR THE GRAIN
Joseph’s Wise Stewardship of Power and Prestige F. He USED HIS AUTHORITY TO MAKE HIS EMPLOYER WEALTHY
Joseph’s Wise Stewardship of Power and Prestige G. He GAVE THE PEOPLE AN OPPORTUNITY TO ACCUMULATE AGAIN
“ Joseph said to the people, ‘Now that I have bought you and your land today for Pharaoh, here is seed for you so you can plant the ground. But when the crop comes in, give a fifth of it to Pharaoh…..”
“…..The other four -fifths you may keep as seed for the fields and as food for yourselves and your households and your children’. ‘You have saved our lives,’ they said.” - Genesis 47:23-25
Joseph’s Wise Stewardship of Power and Prestige H. He REMEMBERED GOD AND PUBLICLY GAVE HIM THANKS
“Before the years of famine came, two sons were born to Joseph by Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On. Joseph named his firstborn Manasseh and said, ‘It is because God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father’s household.’…..”
“…..The second son he named Ephraim and said, ‘It is because God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering.’” – Genesis 41:50-52
“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment…..”
“…..Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.’” – 1 Timothy 6:17-19
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