Leadership: God’s Plan of Success for ConsultantsSample

Joseph:  Jailhouse Helper to Executive Consultant.

One of the more interesting stories of career success in the Bible is the story of Joseph. But did you know that Joseph’s biggest career success came as a business consultant? 

You probably already know that Joseph started as a slave working for an Egyptian businessman, working his way up to General Manager.  All was well until the owner’s wife framed Joseph on attempted rape charges, landing him in jail.

That management career that started so well met a sudden end. Or did it?

In jail, Joseph continues with his practices of integrity and doing his best – and soon it is obvious to all (including the jailhouse manager) that God is with him. Before long, Joseph is again in a management role, this time as helper to the jailkeeper.

One day, two prisoners seem a bit unhappy and Joseph – who was always on the lookout to help – asks what’s wrong. His friendly demeanor lands him a consulting gig of dream interpretations. Even though he has no prior experience, Joseph’s trust in God gets him going:

“Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell me your dreams.” – Genesis 40:8 

A couple of years later, at corporate headquarters for Egypt, Inc., the CEO (Pharaoh) is extremely troubled by some bad dreams.  He had already retained the best consultants in the land, but none of them could give any insights or interpretation. Finally, Joseph’s former jailhouse client remembers Joseph, and Joseph is brought out of jail to consult for the CEO. A big opportunity if there ever was one!

Joseph did two things in that consulting gig to obtain God’s blessing of success. First, Joseph openly credits God for his work:

Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I had a dream, and no one can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.”

“I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.”  – Genesis 41:15-16 

Next, in addition to the consulting work, Joseph presents the outline of a business plan of how Pharaoh might meet the pending challenge, and suggests that a discerning and wise man and put him in charge of executing these plans.

Joseph’s engagement with the CEO surely made an impact:

The plan seemed good to Pharaoh and to all his officials. So Pharaoh asked them, “Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?”  – Genesis 41:37-38

So why did God choose to bless Joseph and his career?  

It is instructive to see what the Bible does NOT say. The Bible does not say that Joseph was blessed because of he gave credit to God, his working style, his honesty, his integrity or even a prayer life. It just says that “the Lord was with him” (Genesis 39:2, 39:20). 

So what does this mean about God’s blessing on your work today? 

To answer this question, we need to dig deeper. Next, we’ll look at Daniel – another consultancy success story – and see why God blessed him. 

Reflection / Application 

1. Joseph exhibited “good” characteristics and work behaviors. Is that why God was with him, or are those the result of God being with him? 
2. Would you say that God is with you at your work? How do others see this?  
3. Relying on God for your success and then also giving God the credit like Joseph did, is tough duty and not popular today. Have you ever done that? How did that go?