Genesis 41:15-16 (NKJV) And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I have had a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that you can understand a dream, to interpret it.” So Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, “It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace.”
Just as branches are connected to the vine, no one can interpret dreams unless they are connected to God and know Him. God gave Joseph the gift of interpreting dreams. Joseph used his gift by interpreting the dreams of the chief butler and the chief baker while they were imprisoned. He wasn’t selective about whom God had given him to help, and he was humble to always give God the credit for interpreting the dreams. Neither did he let the accuracy of his interpretations make him proud, and even after he was promoted to prime minister of Egypt, he remained humble before God because he knew his position before Him.
Genesis 47:23, 25-26 (NKJV) “Then Joseph said to the people, “Indeed I have bought you and your land this day for Pharaoh. Look, here is seed for you, and you shall sow the land…. So they said, “You have saved our lives; let us find favour in the sight of my Lord, and we will be Pharaoh’s servants.” And Joseph made it a law over the land of Egypt to this day, that Pharaoh should have one-fifth, except for the land of the priests only, which did not become Pharaoh’s.”
Joseph balanced the people’s needs and Pharaoh’s interests by ensuring that the people could feed their families, while 20% of the harvest went to Pharaoh. It was his wise leadership during a national crisis that made him stand out as a servant of God. Similarly, we can tap into God’s wisdom in managing the responsibilities given to us, such as through effective decision-making, leadership and management skills.
No matter which sphere of influence we have been called to, God will grant us the vision, the passion, the strategy, and the integrity to finish the work which He has called us to do. We will continue to thrive even in harsh conditions because we are tapping into His wisdom. The favour of God and men will be with us because we are walking in the will and call of God on our lives.
Joseph was both a steward of Pharaoh’s land and a servant of God. God used Pharaoh to provide for Joseph’s entire family. Similarly, God will also use your company or business to provide for your family’s needs. At the same time, you can use the influence God has given you to bless those under your care.
Reflection: What spiritual gifts has God given you, and how can you use them in your daily life? What would it look like for you to be a “Joseph” where God has placed you?
Sermon Series：Are You Joseph?
呼召中的智慧
创世记 41:15-16 法老对约瑟说：“我做了一梦，没有人能解。我听见人说，你听了梦就能解。” 约瑟回答法老说：“这不在乎我，神必将平安的话回答法老。”
正如枝子必须连于葡萄树，人若不与神相连、不认识神，就无法真正明白属灵的事。神赐给约瑟解梦的恩赐。约瑟曾在监里为酒政和膳长解梦，他并没有选择性地帮助人，而是忠心使用神所赐的恩赐，服事神放在他身边的人。并且，他始终谦卑，将一切荣耀归给神。即使他的解梦一再准确，也没有使他骄傲；即便后来被高升为埃及的宰相，他在神面前仍然保持谦卑，因为他清楚自己在神面前的地位。
创世记 47:23, 25-26 约瑟对百姓说：“我今日为法老买了你们和你们的地，看哪，这里有种子给你们，你们可以种地。他们说：“你救了我们的性命！但愿我们在我主眼前蒙恩，我们就做法老的仆人。” 于是约瑟为埃及地定下常例，直到今日，法老必得五分之一，唯独祭司的地不归法老。
约瑟在百姓的需要和法老的利益之间取得了平衡——既确保百姓有粮食养活家人，也使法老得着收成的五分之一。正是在国家危机中，他所展现出的智慧领导力，使他成为神忠心仆人的明证。同样，今天我们也可以在所托付的责任中汲取从神而来的智慧——无论是在决策、领导，还是管理上，都能经历祂的帮助与引导。
无论神呼召我们进入哪个领域，祂都必赐下异象、热情、策略和正直，使我们能够完成祂所托付的工作。即使在艰难的环境中，我们仍能持续兴盛，因为我们所倚靠的是神的智慧。当我们行在神的旨意和呼召中时，神与人的恩宠也必与我们同在。
约瑟既是法老产业的管家，也是神忠心的仆人。神借着法老供应了约瑟全家的需要。同样，神也会借着你的公司、事业或工作，供应你和你家庭所需。同时，你也可以使用神所赐给你的影响力，去祝福那些在你所照顾、所带领之下的人。
默想：
神赐给了你哪些属灵恩赐？你可以如何在每天的生活中使用这些恩赐？在神所安置你的位置上，成为一个“约瑟”对你来说，会是什么样子？
讲章系列：你是约瑟吗？