Many know the story of Joseph and Potiphar's wife as a story of a godly man using his faithfulness to overcome temptation. But, here's an oft-overlooked part of the passage from which we can glean an additional life application:
"Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. Potiphar, an Egyptian who was one of Pharaoh's officials, the captain of the guard, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him there. The LORD was with Joseph and he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. When his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD gave him success in everything he did, Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned. From the time he put him in charge of his household and of all that he owned, the LORD blessed the household of the Egyptian because of Joseph. The blessing of the LORD was on everything Potiphar had, both in the house and in the field. So he left in Joseph's care everything he had; with Joseph in charge, he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate."
-Genesis 39:1-6
God has a purpose for all things. It was no accident that Joseph and Potiphar, two men with vastly different histories, would be in the same household. And by this association, Potiphar and his household were blessed. God was with Joseph through all things. Because Potiphar witnessed God via Joseph, he showed favor to Joseph and God showed favor to Potiphar for that genuine association. Joseph was a blessing to Potiphar and Potiphar was a blessing to Joseph (in that he left all the affairs of his household to Joseph - what trust...). When we associate ourselves with those who live a life pleasing and faithful to God, nothing but good things and blessings will flow. As people can be a blessing to us, we must also be a blessing to others as well. As long as God is glorified through all people involved, prosperity and blessings shall reign from on high. On the other hand, looking at the accounts of Absalom (specifically II Samuel 16:15 - 17:23) and Rehoboam (I Kings 12:1-19), it can be seen that surrounding oneself with ungodly, self-serving people will ultimately lead to hardship, destruction and even death. Serving yourself and not being a blessing, surrounding yourself with those of similar negative attitudes, will subject you to the punishment and judgment of God (see II Samuel 17:14 & I Kings 12:15).
God created all of us to be partners in His Kingdom. We must all work together, enrich & bless each other to invoke heaven on earth. Being at odds with our fellow man is a waste of energy and resources that will yield no benefit. Surrounding ourselves with like-minded people who long to be with God is a blessing. That, in turn, allows us to be a blessing for those individuals and also to those who have yet to experience the love of God, for which we are witnesses. That will increase our "circle of blessing" even further. To have the entire world in that "circle of blessing" ... what a joy that would be for us and for God our Father! If Joseph and Potiphar never crossed paths, who knows where Potiphar's life may have ended up? But, having been blessed with the life of Joseph, we know he experienced the blessings and provisions of God Himself on his household and life. Let's follow that same example and...
BE A BLESSING!
