Serving is for Life

The second life lesson Joseph teaches us comes from the fact he never left his role of serving. He didn’t see serving as a stepping stone to something “shinier.” He didn’t graduate beyond serving; he always served someone - his father, Potiphar, the jailor, Pharaoh, Egypt, and finally, his father’s family in Egypt. He had little option, as by and large his circumstances were dictated to him. His option was how he would act in circumstances he had little to no determination over. Our drive for better circumstances, less challenging circumstances, may stop us from maturing in Christ.

The nature of the church is a serving body, so we never get away from this. Jesus was clear about this, telling his disciples that “whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be your slave.”[1] This is not a denial of leadership, but it is a powerful modifier of the all too human tendency to dominant.

We don’t graduate beyond our gift/capacity – otherwise, we are likely to be less than we could be, aside from being a frustration to others. Although it is something that is encouraged, there are things we can’t do as much as there are things we can do. If we do what we do well, we will be spared from trying to do what we can’t do poorly. Something will be missing from your community if you we not acting in accordance with our natural proclivities. The body analogy of the church says as much: different gifts fulfil different functions via differently gifted members of the body of Christ. Nobody is the same – so that all can accomplish the task.

While this isn’t a hard and fast rule, as there are occasions when we need to do what may not be comfortable or natural to us, it is generally true. Many of us will find necessity demands what is, in normal circumstances, not our preference, or gift-lane. God provides a grace to do what must be done, as he is the one who distributes gifts according to his will.

Joseph’s promotion was to be given greater responsibilities, as is the reward of those who were faithful managers of the talents in Matthew 25. They were given more responsibilities by way of thanks/reward, as was Joseph. He went from flocks to a private estate with Potiphar, to Pharaoh’s prison, to Pharaoh’s realm, and finally, he served the family of promise as Jacob came to reside in Egypt.

No matter where Joseph was, he served. He administered the property of those he served, so much so that they gave little thought to whatever it was that Joseph did for them. His service was trustworthy and fruitful.

[1]Matthew 20.24-27