Prize Your Integrity

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.

Genesis 39:2–4 ESV

God blessed Joseph’s work and “gave him success in everything he did.”

Potiphar, one of the most powerful men in Egypt at the time, noticed this and instantly hired him.

Not only did he give him a job, but he also promoted him to overseeing everything!

Obviously, we know this story takes an unfortunate detour when his wife tried to seduce him (Genesis 39:6). However, let’s focus on how God prospered Joseph to see the big-picture view.

Honor People and God

Joseph was a faithful man of God. He was honest, even when no one else was looking.

When Potiphar’s wife invited him to, “Come to bed with me!”, Joseph immediately refused.

He listed a few reasons:

1. He didn’t want to jeopardize his job.
2. He’d earned Potiphar’s trust and wanted to stay loyal to him.
3. He didn’t want to do “such a wicked thing and sin against God.”

Joseph’s integrity was absolute. Potiphar trusted him and he honored that. And most of all, he didn’t want to sin against God.

Even after Potiphar’s wife falsely accuses him and he’s unjustly thrown in prison (Genesis 39:20), the “LORD was with him.”

The warden put Joseph in charge of the whole prison!

The Incredible Prosperity of God

Eventually, Joseph would be a ruler over all of Egypt and save his family, and thousands of others, in a disastrous famine.

Joseph’s story should inspire us to walk in total integrity.

Here are some questions to consider:

• Are you the same person in private as you are in public?
• Do you honor your commitments to people?
• Do you work hard and faithfully at your job, making the best use of your time?
• Do you charge clients and customers fairly?
• Do you treat what you’re in charge of as if it were your own?
• Are you above reproach when it comes to your relationships with the opposite sex?

If you have lived without integrity in any area of work or life, take this opportunity to repent. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you honor him in these areas and find accountability from someone you trust.

“A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold.” Proverbs 22:1 ESV