Work Like Joseph

Written by Brian Jennings, Posted in Blog

There’s a one-in-seven chance that you are reading this on a Monday. Does that put you in a bad mood?

If the days of the week had a party, nobody would invite Monday. It’s the beginning of another long work week. The same ‘ol same ‘ol. More cranky managers. More workmates in a bad mood. We sing along to the Bangels, “It’s just another manic Monday.”

Years ago I learned something that flipped my perspective. It was right there all along (Genesis 1-3), but I’d just missed it.

God gave Adam and Eve work to do BEFORE their sin.

God includes work in the creation design, in the garden paradise, in the life he intended for us.

Working is not a curse. We remember bad bosses, companies, and conditions, but this is not God’s plan. God’s design for work infuses people with dignity and shared purpose, provides for families, and contributes to the flourishing of the world.

Joseph
The latter part of Genesis tells the tragic-turned-triumphant story of Joseph. His jealous brothers sold him into slavery. His diligent work earned the trust of his owner. Soon Potiphar put him in charge of his house, animals, and everything he had.

Potiphar’s wife attempted to seduce Joseph. He refused, she claimed he attacked her, and soon he was thrown in prison.

Once again, he soon earned the trust of his new master – the prison warden. The warden turned over responsibilities to Joseph, never doubting his integrity.

That’s when Pharaoh had a dream. Nobody could tell him what it meant, but he then learned about a prisoner who could hear from God. Joseph explained that the land would see seven years of prosperity, followed by seven years of famine. Faced with the task of a plan to save the nation, Pharaoh placed Joseph in charge. Once again, he delivered. He organized the storage of mass amounts of supplies to be used when the famine came. His system ran like a well-oiled machine, saving the Egyptians and even people from afar (including Joseph’s own family).

Joseph’s work honored God

1. If you work for the Lord, everyone gets blessed.
Follow your supervisor’s instructions and diligently respond to your client’s needs, but always remember your primary audience is God. You work for him, and this is good for everyone else.

Greed won’t consume you. A promotion won’t cloud your judgment. You’ll be centered on God’s greatest desires for you.

With God as your focus, you’ll work when nobody else is watching – because somebody actually is! You’ll refuse to cut corners, you’ll treat others with kindness, and you’ll labor with complete integrity. While there may be times where bosses nudge you towards unethical work, your North Star will direct you otherwise. And like it or not, that’s a blessing for them too.

“Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people” (Colossians 3:23, NLT).

2. If you realize God’s presence, peace won’t leave you.
Genesis 39 repeats a phrase of great encouragement: “The Lord was with Joseph.” The Bible never minimizes the agonies of life, but it magnifies God’s presence in those times.

The Lord was with the abandoned Joseph.
The Lord was with the enslaved Joseph.
The Lord was with the falsely-accused Joseph.
The Lord was with the imprisoned Joseph.

God was with Joseph then, and he will be with you now.

When we understand God’s presence, we can find peace in the worst of jobs. You may still want to look for a better one, but never forget God’s presence. God’s peace never falls short.

3. If you are trustworthy with a little, you are trustworthy with a lot.
As a slave and prisoner, Joseph’s first chores must have been the lowliest. Was he scrubbing floors, cleaning up after animals, or loading bricks? We only know that his bosses quickly trusted him. Be trustworthy if you direct the empire’s finances with your voice, and be trustworthy when your hands push the mop.

If a boss gave an employee ten dollars to run one errand, and he gave another a million dollars to take to the bank, the boss might be more concerned about the second employee. However, what do you think matters to God: the amount entrusted or the integrity? Does God’s concern for integrity change with the amounts or responsibilities entrusted to us?

God also cares about the jobs that society may deem as less important. How many months do you want to go without the garbage truck making its runs? Which public bathroom do you want to use when nobody cleans it? Which bridge will you trust when those pouring the concrete don’t care?

The most overlooked jobs are often the most critical for a flourishing world.

Be faithful with the smallest of tasks and amounts, and never think of yourself more highly than someone with lesser pay. God cares deeply about your integrity and their dignity.

4. If you have a big vision, you’ll craft smart strategies.
God gave Joseph a big vision of his work – not in days but in years. As you consider your business, your household needs, or your family finances, a grand vision can guide your smaller, strategic plans. As those plans align with your God-honoring vision, you’ll care for others well.

A vision that believes in the dignity of all people can influence a sick-day policy. A vision for your family to survive an emergency can influence how much you need to save, which then dictates how much you can spend on vacation. A vision for serving the poor and spreading Good News will keep your heart bent towards generosity and away from greed.

God cares about your work, because he cares about you.
God cares about your work, because he cares about the world.
God cares about your work, so you should care about it too.