Genesis 41:16 “Joseph then answered Pharaoh, saying, ‘It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer.’”
OPPORTUNITY FOR SELF
Everyone who has spent any time in Sunday School knows the story of Joseph. It is one of the favorite passages in Genesis. There are so many truths to be gleaned from it. But what hit me today was the humility of Joseph, even in a very difficult situation.
God had given him a gift of interpreting dreams. In fact, that gift had gotten him where he was – a slave in jail in Egypt. His brothers had grown tired of his dreams and sold him off into slavery. Now, here he is again, interpreting dreams. This time for Pharaoh who could reward him greatly or kill him. Joseph chooses humility and gives all the credit to God, not himself.
TEACHING MOMENT
How do we teach our children humility? How do we get them to understand that even if the Lord has blessed them with incredible talents, they must remain humble and not proud? It is not easy. But we must do all we can to model and teach humility.
First, we must model it for them. Have you ever had someone brag about you in front of your children? How you handle that praise will tell your children a lot. They will watch how you deal with that attention. Come on, who doesn’t like attention? Right? Children sure do. But we have to point any praise to the Father.
Secondly, we have to hold our children accountable when we see them getting that proud, braggadocios spirit. Letting them get by with that will only lead to trouble in the future. There is nothing wrong with being proud of their accomplishments. But when that pride is shown in order to put someone else down, well, that has to be addressed. Brag on your kids! You should! But also hold them accountable in how they treat others in the process.
A Moment In Time 