Genesis 39:2-6  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 so that 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 Potiphar left everything he had in Joseph’s care; with Joseph in charge, he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate. (NIV)

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Integrity stands out in a world driven by the pursuit of personal advantage. It shines like a diamond set against black velvet. In fact, it shines no matter the background. 

Joseph, at home with his father and brothers, stood out from the crowd. 

Joseph, among the captives for sale in Egypt, stood out.

Joseph in Potiphar’s house stood out. 

Joseph in prison stood out.

Joseph was outstanding. 

His integrity and attention to detail, his responsibility and achievements, made him stand out no matter the setting. 

Joseph was trustworthy and true. Having Joseph on your team meant your team would perform at a high level. 

God gave Joseph success in everything he did. God blessed all of his work. 

Why did God bless Joseph so abundantly? The obvious answer from a human viewpoint is that Joseph was blessable. He lived the kind of life God could bless. Also, God was able to bless others through him. He was able to redeem others through him. He saved his people through Joseph’s integrity, character, and responsibility. 

Joseph lived an Abrahamic life. God blessed him to bless others. 

This orientation leads lives, families, and nations toward health, wholeness, and success. It helps everyone see how good God is. It helps everyone understand God’s good plans for everyone everywhere. It helps everyone see how things can be by his grace and in his mercy. 

What can you and I do to experience God’s greatest blessings? We can live blessable lives like Abraham and Joseph. We can live a life for all times like Abraham. We can live a life of maximized trustworthiness like Joseph. 

Live generationally. Live abundantly.

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I will live with an eye toward the future, like Abraham, and an eye toward successful outcomes in everything I’m involved in, like Joseph.

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Our Father, make me a blessing where I live, work, and play. Make me a blessing for generations through a life of faithful obedience now. Make me a blessing to people I will never meet through a life of responsible leadership today. Amen.