The deeper I dive into the research and possibilities of a life of Christian stewardship that has been made available to me while I am here on this earth, the more I am astounded and overwhelmed. God has actually extended an invitation to me – personally-- to become a partner with the One who created and presently owns everything that exists! Let that sink in!
He has allowed me to step right up and participate in receiving the Direct Gifts and the by-products of the Gift Exchange program to satisfy and fulfill every need that I will have while living my lifetime here on earth.
Then, that awesome Benefactor has personally invited me to enter into an Agency Agreement with Him that virtually gives me a Power of Attorney which endows me to enter into transactions here and now, where I have the ability to negotiate those deals and ask for anything that my Heavenly Partner would have asked for if He would have actually been here in the flesh.
But there is even more! He then makes me a Trustee. . . where all that estate and inheritance is deposited into my “Trust Account.” And it is deposited there with the full intent to be distributed out in order to benefit the kingdom of God! It is all placed there to be administered by the trustee for the distinct and intended benefit of others. I have been given the opportunity to be that “Trustworthy Administrator.” I become well equipped and able to be generous on every occasion. What an overwhelming thought – that I am being counted on to be an integral part of this Eternal Plan for meeting the needs of others around me!
When we begin to fully understand the awesome possibilities of such an arrangement between the God of the universe and members of His highest creation – we are faced with an ultimatum – a set of terms issued by the Creator, the misappropriation or the rejection of which may lead to a severance of relations. Yes, we are faced with the greatest leveling question of all ages:
What’cha Gonna Do with What’cha Got?
Welcome to the exercise of eternal choice – “Here is what you have been given and what you possess: NOW, what are you going to do with it?” It is up to me to decide what I will do with what I have. How I respond to that choice will determine my lifestyle -- both here and hereafter:
What’cha Gonna Do with What’cha Got?
To the person whom we would adjudge as having very little of this world’s talents and treasures, the question still comes:
What’cha Gonna Do with What’cha Got?
To the person who seems to have a controlling grasp on information systems, industry, energy, Hollywood entertainment, real estate, media and communications, politics, retail commerce, investments, and social clout, the question is still the same:
What’cha Gonna Do with What’cha Got?
How you individually answer that leveling question will determine your quality of character and your life. We have stated earlier that what we refer to as HISTORY is the mere recordation of how people – just like you and me – have responded to that penetrating question.
No one can escape the question because it is so intricately woven into the very fabric of life. Life’s pattern is then determined by the behavior of the one answering the question:
What’cha Gonna Do with What’cha Got?
One of the most dramatic designs ever woven into the fabric of a human was woven into the life of a man named . . .
*JOSEPH*
At an early age Joseph received into his Trust Account some very interesting possessions. He inherited a set of circumstances that, even on the surface, spelled trouble.
Joseph was 1 of 12 sons born to the old patriarch, Jacob. He was 1 of 2 sons born to Jacob’s favorite wife, Rachel. Leah, Rachel’s sister, was Jacob’s not-so-favorite wife.
As you will recall, Jacob had received Leah as a “surprise package” from her father, Laban. Jacob, thinking he had married lovely Rachel at the previous night’s ceremony, woke up to the sunlight of the honeymoon’s first morning and – what a surprise! What a great way to start out a new marriage: with the wrong girl! He had married Leah, not Rachel!
Well, for Jacob the situation was about like that of the fellow who proposed to his girl in a garage . . . and then couldn’t back out. But Jacob was intent on acquiring the lovely Rachel (in addition to Leah). So, he had his credit card limits increased, contracted for seven years of installment payments, and went into debt for his new capital improvement . . . lovely Rachel. But Leah would not give up that easily. She thoroughly enjoyed being married to Jacob and set out to win his love and respect through the procreation of many sons. The competition was “in tents” as both wives raced for Jacob’s favor. Can you imagine the stress level of that household? Such was the setting into which Joseph was born.
Well, Joseph . . .
What’cha Gonna Do with What’cha Got?
The competition of the wives was exaggerated into hatred in the children. Joseph’s half-brothers deeply resented the favoritism that was shown to Joseph by Jacob. Into Joseph’s Personal Portfolio of Possessions was placed a “coat of many colors” like the ones worn by priests and kings. Given to him as a gift from his father, it set him apart from the rest of the crowd – a prime target for hate. That smoldering hatred was fanned into a flame by another one of Joseph’s possessions. He dreamed dreams . . . about himself. But dreaming wasn’t inflammatory enough. He also possessed the ability to interpret his own dreams. When, through his interpretation, he notified his brothers that someday they would all bow down and pay homage to him, the hatred exploded.
Well, Joseph . . .
What’cha Gonna Do with What’cha Got?
In 1700 B.C., when Joseph was 16 years old, his little brother Benjamin was born. What a cute little kid! His very own little brother – only real “full” brother. But tragedy drowned out the excitement of that day. For with the birth of his little brother . . . came the death of his mother. The beautiful, highly favored Rachel was dead. Gone now was the security and protection of his esteemed mother. Gone was the tender love and understanding. Within the family he was now seen as a part of the competition that had lost. The unbridled resentment of his half-brothers now ran unchecked.
Into young Joseph’s Trust Account were being deposited circumstance that appeared to be absolutely ruinous.
Well, Joseph . . .
What’cha Gonna Do with What’cha Got?
But Joseph realized that: It’s not the set of circumstances in which you find yourself . . . but how you respond to those circumstances that makes all the difference in the world.
Scarcely more than one year later, when Joseph was 17 years old, he had the occasion to catch the full force of the blast furnace of his half-brothers’ hate. They had full intention of killing Joseph – but decided rather to market their hate for 20 pieces of silver.
No longer were they saying, “Listen to the kid . . . he’s a prophet.
Now they were determined to, “Sell the little kid . . . for a profit.
They sold Joseph as a slave to a passing camel caravan on its way to Egypt for half the price of a common slave. Joseph experienced the feelings of total rejection and contempt from those closest to him. He realized that they had carried out their murderous intent and, at the same time, had made money on his uncertain fate.
Well, Joseph . . .
What’cha Gonna Do with What’cha Got?
Upon arriving in Egypt, Joseph was sold as a slave to Potiphar – the captain of the king’s bodyguard and the king’s chief executioner. For nine years he faithfully served his master. His energy level was high – his administrative abilities were amazing – his priorities were chosen with the wisdom of a sage – and his character was as sterling as the purest silver.
The phenomenon of success was now being liberally dispensed into Joseph’s Trust Account. Where Joseph’s brothers had responded to their circumstances with expressions of jealousy, hatred, and murder, Joseph continually portrayed a remarkable spirit of courage, honesty, and confidence in God. His wholesome attitude was reflected in his work. He was reliable in his assignments and morally pure in his relationships.
Thank you, Joseph for faithfully answering when faced with the question . . .
What’cha Gonna Do with What’cha Got?
But Joseph’s real trials were just beginning. As he advanced in the administration of Potiphar’s house, he was thrown more and more into association with Potiphar’s wife. Joseph was a tall, dark, handsome young Hebrew of 26. Potiphar’s wife was pampered, impulsive, and bored with life. She began to zero in on Joseph -- targeting him for her illicit affections.
Well, Joseph . . .
What’cha Gonna Do with What’cha Got?
Next Week: You don't dare miss the rest of the Joseph story!