God tells us, “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’ So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?’” (Hebrews 13:5-6, New International Version throughout).

This promise becomes evident in what could be called the “Joseph Effect.” It’s an extremely encouraging event in life when it happens.

God brings success

Joseph—sold as a slave and bought by Potiphar—clearly had few employment options. Yet we are told, ‘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. 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. So he left in Joseph’s care everything he had; with Joseph in charge, he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate” (Genesis 39:3-6, emphasis added).

This is the Joseph Effect—a Christian working and depending on God’s provision for economic survival.

From this we can conclude that Joseph applied himself diligently to whatever small task he was given until his competence and positive attitude for service was noticed. He was then promoted. When it was evident that success came to all that he did, he was delegated unilateral trust. Quite an amazing blessing, considering that he was a Hebrew slave in an Egyptian household.

This is the Joseph Effect—a Christian working and depending on God’s provision for economic survival. It shows how God provides, even if employment prospects are restricted. Although Joseph was being directed to fulfill God’s purpose—the establishing of the nation of Israel—we should learn to be diligent and trust God in lean times.

Obstacles become opportunities

The story also illustrates that promotion one time does not mean everything will always be rosy thereafter. Because of his physical attractiveness and moral integrity Joseph encountered difficulties with Potiphar’s wife. Her false accusations were enough to have him “fired” and thrown into jail!

Yet here again, the Joseph Effect came into play under even more precarious employment conditions. He was now a Hebrew slave with a prison record. From behind prison walls, he again diligently applied himself to whatever task he was given and came into “favor in the eyes of the prison warden” (Genesis 39:21). This was not just a matter of Joseph’s competence; but rather “the Lord was with him; He showed him kindness and granted him favor” (same verse).

In Joseph’s story, we read, “The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care, because the Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did” (verse 23).

Although he was a prison slave with hopeless career prospects, Joseph did his best with each small task.

Although he was a prison slave with hopeless career prospects, Joseph did his best with each small task. God’s favor—along with a positive attitude—caused his efforts to be noticed and rewarded. Ideally, every workplace could possibly be blessed by having a genuine Christian on their staff.

We cannot obligate God to provide such benefits; God had a unique plan and purpose for Joseph. But when He does bless us in such a way, it is a positive reinforcement of living His way of life.