Theme: Making the most of our talents in the work of God
Text: “And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and there is none that can interpret it: and I have heard say of thee, that thou canst understand a dream to interpret it. And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.” – Genesis 41:15, 16.
Comment: There are examples of talented men and women in the Holy Bible who used their gifts to the glory of God. Among such people was Joseph. He had the gift of interpreting dreams. (Genesis 40:8; 41:16) Early in his life God revealed to him through a dream what he would be in future. This provoked his brothers to jealousy or envy and they tried to eliminate him. But as the drama unfolded, we see that the gift given him helped to save so many people alive, both of the Jews and the Egyptians. From this we learn that it is foolish or pointless envying the talents God has given our neighbour because we shall all be profited thereby. In any case, no one can go against the will of God. – See Genesis 45:5-8; Isaiah 14:27.
Also in the story we see that Joseph was liberal with his talent. When his fellow prisoners were disturbed because they could not tell the meaning of their dreams, he did not hesitate to interprete the dream for them. As he interpreted for the prisoners so also he did for Pharoah. Joseph also proved to be a first class administrator as could be seen in the way he prepared Egypt for famine relief, thereby preserving the patriarch Jacob and the rest of the family and the Egyptians at the time of famine. We should be liberal in deploying our gifts for the service of God and humanity. – Isaiah 32:8.