2-6 As it turned out, God was with Joseph and things went very well with him. He ended up living in the home of his Egyptian master. His master recognized that God was with him, saw that God was working for good in everything he did. He became very fond of Joseph and made him his personal aide. He put him in charge of all his personal affairs, turning everything over to him. From that moment on, God blessed the home of the Egyptian—all because of Joseph. The blessing of God spread over everything he owned, at home and in the fields, and all Potiphar had to concern himself with was eating three meals a day. (The Message)
As we read the story of Joseph we quickly jump to the problems he gets into with this master's wife. But I would invite you to stop for a moment at the beginning of the story. It isn't the first and won't be the last time that God blesses a non-believer because of the life and faithfulness of one who chooses to follow after God. It really doesn't seem quite fair or right that God would bless Potiphar in such an amazing way. After all shouldn't God be spending God's time blessing and enriching those that are doing God honoring things? But that isn't the way things work in God's world and we are left to wonder why.
Some thoughts to ponder and share with others:
- What do you think were Joseph's first thoughts when he was sold to Potiphar?
- What do you think Potiphar's friends thought about his increased success and blessings?
- Who do you see on a regular basis that is being blessed even thought they do not appear to be a follower of God?
- How might you bring blessings to others, both those who follow and don't follow the ways of God?
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