Wisdom for Your Calling
ICS Daily Devotions
Genesis 41:15-16 (NKJV) And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I have had a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that you can understand a dream, to interpret it.” So Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, “It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace.”
Just as branches are connected to the vine, no one can interpret dreams unless they are connected to God and know Him. God gave Joseph the gift of interpreting dreams. Joseph used his gift by interpreting the dreams of the chief butler and the chief baker while they were imprisoned. He wasn’t selective about whom God had given him to help, and he was humble to always give God the credit for interpreting the dreams. Neither did he let the accuracy of his interpretations make him proud, and even after he was promoted to prime minister of Egypt, he remained humble before God because he knew his position before Him.
Genesis 47:23, 25-26 (NKJV) “Then Joseph said to the people, “Indeed I have bought you and your land this day for Pharaoh. Look, here is seed for you, and you shall sow the land…. So they said, “You have saved our lives; let us find favour in the sight of my Lord, and we will be Pharaoh’s servants.” And Joseph made it a law over the land of Egypt to this day, that Pharaoh should have one-fifth, except for the land of the priests only, which did not become Pharaoh’s.”
Joseph balanced the people’s needs and Pharaoh’s interests by ensuring that the people could feed their families, while 20% of the harvest went to Pharaoh. It was his wise leadership during a national crisis that made him stand out as a servant of God. Similarly, we can tap into God’s wisdom in managing the responsibilities given to us, such as through effective decision-making, leadership and management skills.
No matter which sphere of influence we have been called to, God will grant us the vision, the passion, the strategy, and the integrity to finish the work which He has called us to do. We will continue to thrive even in harsh conditions because we are tapping into His wisdom. The favour of God and men will be with us because we are walking in the will and call of God on our lives.
Joseph was both a steward of Pharaoh’s land and a servant of God. God used Pharaoh to provide for Joseph’s entire family. Similarly, God will also use your company or business to provide for your family’s needs. At the same time, you can use the influence God has given you to bless those under your care.
Reflection: What spiritual gifts has God given you, and how can you use them in your daily life? What would it look like for you to be a “Joseph” where God has placed?
Sermon Series: Are You Joseph?
