Scripture Highlight: Genesis 41:46-49; 53-55
46 Joseph was thirty years old when he became chancellor under the Pharaoh, ruler of Egypt. When he left the Pharaoh, he made an inspection tour of the land of Egypt. 47 During the seven years of plenty, the harvests were abundant. 48 Joseph supervised the collection of the food grown in the fields in the seven years of plenty in Egypt and stored it in the cities. In each city he stored the harvested food from the fields around it. 49 Joseph stored up huge quantities of grain, as much as the sand of the sea. It was so much that he stopped keeping records because the produce was immeasurable.
53 The seven years of abundance in Egypt came to an end, 54 and the seven years of famine began, just as Joseph had prophesied. The famine spread to every country, but in Egypt there was food. 55 When the whole country began to feel the famine, the people cried out to Pharaoh for bread. Pharaoh told all the Egyptians, “Go to Joseph and do whatever he tells you.”
In the Bible, we are reminded time and again of God's abundant provision. One powerful example is the story of Joseph, the son of Jacob, who was entrusted with managing the wealth of Egypt during a time of both abundance and famine. Through his wisdom and stewardship, Joseph ensured that the land was prepared to feed its people when the hard times came.
"What do we do with the gifts that God gives us?" This is the question at the heart of the story, and it challenges us to think about how we handle our own resources — whether it’s our time, talents, or financial blessings. Joseph used his skills to store up food in a time of plenty, preparing for the famine. In the same way, we are called to be good stewards of what God has placed in our hands.
But stewardship isn’t just about money. As J.Rae pointed out in their sermon, "When you're hungry, food is wealth. When you're thirsty, water is wealth." What we have — whether it's material or immaterial — can be life-changing for someone else if we share it.
God doesn’t just ask us to hoard what we've been given. Instead, we are called to "share what we’ve been given so that when the hungry come to us, we are ready to feed them."
Self-Care and Stewardship
Another important point raised in J.Rae's sermon is about self-care. We often hear the message that others should come first, but they wisely reminded us: "If you’re not taking care of yourself, you cannot take care of other people." Stewardship also means ensuring that we are replenished and cared for, so we can continue to serve others effectively.
As we reflect on the story of Joseph, we must consider how we are using our gifts. Are we storing them up selfishly, or are we preparing to share them when the time comes? Are we balancing care for others with care for ourselves?
These are important questions as we seek to live out our faith and become who God is calling us to be.
Reflection Questions:
1. What gifts, talents, or resources has God entrusted to me, and how am I using them?
- Take time to think about the blessings in your life. Are there things you’ve been holding onto that could be shared with others?
2. What does stewardship mean to me, beyond financial giving?
- Consider areas like your time, energy, creativity, and relationships. How can you be more intentional about using these for God's kingdom?
3. Am I taking care of myself so that I can serve others more effectively?
- Reflect on your self-care routines. Are you giving yourself space to rest and recharge, or are you constantly pouring out without replenishing?
4. Who is God calling me (or my community) to become, and what steps do I need to take to prepare for that calling?
- As you think about the future, consider the resources you’ll need — not just material ones, but spiritual and emotional resources too.
5. Have I ever clung to a gift or blessing only for it to spoil or burn out?
- Consider a time when you held tightly to something instead of sharing it. What was the outcome, and what did you learn?
Prayer:
Dear God, thank you for the gifts you have given me. Help me to be a good steward of these blessings, using them to serve others and honor you. Guide me to take care of myself so that I can continue to care for those around me. Show me how to share abundantly and trust in your provision. May I walk in your will and grow into the person you are calling me to be. Amen.
Be sure to check out J.Rae's full sermon by clicking the image below!
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