OLD TESTAMENT ARTICLE
STEADY AS A ROCK
Talk about your ups and downs! Joseph saw more of these between the ages of 17 (Genesis 37:2) and 30 (Genesis 41:46) than we might in a lifetime. As soon as Joseph was born, he was immediately his father's favorite by virtue of his mother being Rachel. The coat of many colors clearly indicated this (Genesis 37:3). This combined with the bad reports given to Jacob regarding his brother's shepherding techniques (Genesis 37:2) and Joseph's dreams of ruling over his brothers and parents (Genesis 37:5-11) did little to win him any popularity contests. So it's no surprise to hear of his brethren wanting to kill him (Genesis 37:18) only to eventually decide selling him into slavery a better option (Genesis 37:26-27). So much for being the favorite son and all which that position might have brought him, now he's property. He becomes a slave who is bought by an Egyptian officer named Potiphar (Genesis 39:1).
However, Joseph's life soon takes a turn upwards. Potiphar soon makes him steward over his house entrusting him with all that he had (Genesis 39:4). Potiphar's trust in Joseph was so great that Potiphar demanded no accounting of Joseph's handling of his possessions (Genesis 39:6). Once again all was going well with Joseph until Potiphar's wife falsely accused him of rape and he was thrown into prison for a crime he had not committed (Genesis 39:7-20).
Joseph's life took a slight turn upwards when he found favor with the prison keeper and was given charge over all the prisoners (Genesis 39:21-22). However things drastically improved when the butler had his memory jogged when Pharaoh dreamed two dreams which no one could interpret. The butler remembered Joseph's correct interpretation of his and the baker's dreams. Pharaoh asks to see Joseph, tells him his dreams, and Joseph interprets them. As a result, Joseph is made second only to Pharaoh. A position held until his death.
What if similar things had happened to you between the ages of 17 and 30? How would they have changed your character or outlook on life? It seems not to have affected Joseph. Why? Joseph was a man of faith. It seems that Joseph understood no matter the circumstances of life God expected him to make the best of it and that's what he did. Sure God blessed him but only because Joseph faithfully served him in whatever circumstance he found himself.
We too will have our ups and downs for such is the nature of this life. Will we handle them as Joseph or will we feel sorry for ourselves? When the storms of life come, will we be the rock of Gibraltar or a reed driven in the wind? Will we consider ourselves blessed no matter our circumstances or only when things are going our way? How strong is your faith? See how you handle that next bit of adversity.
NEW TESTAMENT ARTICLE
FAITHFUL OR FOOLISH ?
I can only imagine the frustration of the Lord as he taught his disciples regarding spiritual eternal matters when from the multitude a man shouts, 'Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me." (Luke 12:13) Surely we can hear the frustration in Jesus' voice as he exclaims, 'Man, who made Me a judge or an arbitrator over you?" (Luke 12:14) There were far more important matters for Jesus to attend to than fielding inheritance complaints. Jesus challenges the man to make that realization in his own life when He states "one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses."
Jesus then tells a story about a man who thought his life was bound up within his possessions. When he had a bountiful harvest, he decided to build bigger barns in which to store it and then take a life of ease. Now that he had all these possessions he could enjoy life. 'Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.' (Luke 12:19) The quality of his life depended upon the quantity of his possessions. But God said I'm going to take your life; now what good are your possessions? Only a fool would take that which is eternal, his spirit, and invest it in that which is temporary, riches.
Jesus turns to the disciples in verse 22 and basically says, 'Don't be like this guy. Don't worry about the physical, temporary things of this life." There is more to life than food and clothing. Yes, we all need these things but God knows that and will feed and clothe us just as he does the ravens and the lilies of the field. (Luke 12:23-30) Doesn't mean we shouldn't work for them, 2 Thessalonians 3:10; Colossians 3:23-24. After we've done our best we should have faith that God will bless our labors by supplying what is necessary to sustain life. We may not see how we are going to make it but don't worry. You do your part and have faith that God will do His.
'For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.' (Luke 12:34) So what do you treasure? Possessions on earth or faith in God. Do you think the quality of your life is determined by the quantity of your possessions? Would you still be happy if you only had one vehicle? What if it was older with not as many conveniences? What about a smaller house? Maybe a job which paid less? Clothes that weren't the latest style? A slower computer or no computer? No microwave, dishwasher, trash compactor, garbage disposal...? What if you didn't have the latest, greatest, fastest, newest, prettiest...whatever? Would you still be happy? If not, you may be placing more importance on these things than you should. So long as we faithfully serve the Lord we can be happy with whatever the quantity or quality of our possessions. Because we know God is aware of our needs and have faith they will always be supplied. So, are you faithful or foolish?