Giving for His Glory

Genesis 41:53-57

If I read these verses correctly this was a widespread famine such as the world had never known, for it says, “The famine was spread over all the face of the earth.”

In these circumstances what did Joseph do? He didn’t hoard the storehouses of plenty for himself and his family, or for the royal household, or even for the land of Egypt. He opened those great vaults and released the contents to anyone who needed food. “The people of all the earth came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph.” This was a man who never took advantage of his privileges, his authority, or his financial resources.

He is continuing to walk humbly before his Lord. He has earthly power, but his integrity is still in place, and he freely shares his abundance with others in need. That helps in our evaluation, doesn’t it? We cannot help but admire those who reap the rewards of righteousness because God prospers them, when they, in turn, provide for others in need.

I want to go on record here and state that I personally believe that some of the choicest saints in the family of God are those who have walked in integrity as God has blessed them with wealth by His grace, and they use it for God’s glory. Ministries I have been a part of have benefited immensely not only from those who have little of this world’s goods, but also from the Josephs of this and previous generations.

To the wealthy Josephs that God is raising up in this generation and the next, may you continue to walk with Him. May you generously use your affluence and authority for His glory and your influence and success to make His Word and truth known.

God can use our authority and our abundance and our promotion as He did with Joseph. But before He can, we need to humble ourselves before God’s mighty hand and say, “Jesus Christ, I need You. I have all of this to account for, and I can’t take any of it with me. Please use me as you see fit.” With authority comes the need for accountability. With popularity comes the need for humility. With prosperity comes the need for integrity. Joseph passed all three tests with flying colors.

Those who model the same depth of character mixed with wisdom deserve our respect and affirmation.

Taken from Great Days with the Great Lives by Charles R. Swindoll. Copyright © 2005 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson. www.thomasnelson.com

Posted in Bible Characters and tagged .

Pastor Charles R. Swindoll has devoted his life to the accurate, practical teaching and application of God’s Word. He is the founding pastor of Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, Texas, but Chuck’s listening audience extends far beyond a local church body. As a leading programme in Christian broadcasting since 1979, Insight for Living airs around the world. Chuck’s leadership as president and now chancellor emeritus at Dallas Theological Seminary has helped prepare and equip a new generation of men and women for ministry.

పాస్టర్ చార్లెస్ ఆర్. స్విండాల్ దేవుని వాక్యాన్ని నిర్దిష్టంగా, ఆచరణాత్మకంగా బోధించడానికి మరియు అన్వయించడానికి తన జీవితాన్ని అంకితం చేశారు. ఆయన టెక్సాస్‌లోని ఫ్రిస్కోలోని స్టోన్‌బ్రయర్ కమ్యూనిటీ చర్చి వ్యవస్థాపక కాపరియై ఉన్నారు, అయితే చక్ యొక్క శ్రోతలు స్థానిక సంఘ పరిధి దాటి వ్యాపించి ఉన్నారు. 1979 నుండి క్రైస్తవ ప్రసరణలో ప్రముఖ కార్యక్రమంగా, ఇన్‌సైట్ ఫర్ లివింగ్ ప్రపంచవ్యాప్తంగా ప్రసారమవుతోంది. డల్లాస్ థియోలాజికల్ సెమినరీకి ప్రెసిడెంటుగా, అలాగే ఇప్పుడు ఛాన్సిలర్ ఎమెరిటస్‌గా చక్ యొక్క నాయకత్వం క్రొత్త తరం స్త్రీపురుషులను పరిచర్య కొరకు సిద్ధపరచడంలో సహాయపడింది.