Scripture and examples in our own life show us that God’s blessings can easily become distractions from the will of God when we allow them to feed our ego. Joseph was wise enough to not fall into this trap, even at a young age. Being put in charge of Potiphar’s entire household and affairs could have caused Joseph to become proud and boastful about the status that he had reached and the influence he now possessed, especially considering how he was betrayed and sold into slavery by his own brothers. Genesis 39:5 says, “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.” Yet, Joseph continues to keep his focus on God and how God is blessing him and providing him with these opportunities to rise in power and influence. He doesn't allow the blessings of God to feed his ego.
It can become so simple for us to take credit for the blessings of God in our own lives sometimes, which can lead to boasting that Scripture warns us against. In Jeremiah 9:23-24, we read, “This is what the Lord says: Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight.” This passage demonstrates that boasting about any of our gifts, talents, or possessions is foolish. We should only be proud that we have a loving and deep relationship with the Creator of the Universe who blesses us with all the things that the rest of the world would boast about.
Reflection/Discussion Question: What blessing in your life are you tempted to boast about?
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