The principal tenet of this discourse is that God's prosperity is inherently missional; He blesses individuals not solely for their own comfort, but to empower them to serve as blessings to others. The narrative of Joseph elucidates this profound principle, as his ascent from the depths of despair to a position of influence enabled him to effectuate salvation for many during a time of famine. Such biblical prosperity transcends mere accumulation of wealth; it is characterized by the willingness to share, to extend compassion, and to utilize resources for the greater good. In stark contrast, prosperity devoid of empathy can devolve into oppression, revealing the heart’s true condition. Ultimately, the measure of one's prosperity is not found in material wealth alone, but in the capacity to reconcile and uplift those who are marginalized and suffering. The discourse on biblical prosperity, articulated through the narrative of Joseph, elucidates a profound truth: true wealth is not an end in itself, but rather a means to alleviate suffering and serve others. The episode commences with an exploration of the nature of prosperity that is devoid of divine endorsement—a prosperity that engenders self-centric accumulation, devoid of wisdom, compassion, or purpose. In stark contrast, the biblical account of Joseph demonstrates that authentic prosperity is missional; it is a blessing intended for the benefit of others. Joseph's foresight and obedience in creating a system that sustained Egypt during a severe famine exemplify this principle. The episode emphasizes that wealth should not merely serve personal comfort but should align with one's calling to bless others. As the narrative unfolds, listeners are compelled to reflect on their own motivations for seeking prosperity, urging them to define a 'why' that transcends mere self-interest. Ultimately, the message is clear: prosperity must flow through us to effectively fulfill its divine purpose, transforming us into channels of blessing rather than mere containers of wealth.

Takeaways:

1. Joseph's prosperity serves as a testament to how wealth can be utilized to provide for others, especially in times of crisis.
2. Biblical prosperity is fundamentally about being a conduit of blessings to others, not merely accumulating wealth for oneself.
3. Wealth must be accompanied by compassion; otherwise, it risks becoming a source of oppression rather than a means of aid.
4. Reconciliation is the ultimate measure of prosperity; how one uses their power reflects their heart's condition.

All the world came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph because the famine was severe everywhere.

Genesis 41, verse 57.

There is a kind of prosperity that God will never see Sponsor.

The kind that ends with you.

The kind that builds bigger wardrobes but not bigger wisdom.

The kind that buys more toys but produces no testimony.

The kind that elevates your lifestyle while your character stays small.

The kind that makes you richer but makes you harder, colder, and more selfish.

But Joseph shows us the highest level of biblical prosperity.

Wealth that becomes a weapon against suffering.

When famine hit, Egypt didn't collapse.

Why?

Because Joseph's obedience had built a system that could carry a nation through a global crisis.

And the Bible says something that should make, that should shake the modern church.

All the world came to Egypt.

Not a few people, not a town, not a local community, all the world.

That means Joseph's prosperity had reach, it had influence, it had purpose, it had, it had mission.

God did not take Joseph from the pit to the palace so Joseph could pose.

God took Joseph from the pit to the palace so Joseph could provide.

This is where we separate biblical prosperity from carnal greed.

Biblical prosperity is not just God did it for me.

Biblical prosperity is God did it through me.

And I'll let me tell you the truth with urgency.

If God never increases you, it won't be only for your comfort.

It will be for your calling.

And as we conclude this series of messages, Joseph from the pit to prime minister of prosperity, we conclude with message number four, Feeding the world with wealth.

God's prosperity, brothers and sisters, is missional.

He blesses you to become a blessing.

From the beginning, God told Abraham, I will bless you and you will be a blessing.

Genesis 12:2 tells us that is the blueprint of covenant prosperity.

God's blessings are not trophies.

They are tools.

They are not ornaments.

They are assignments.

Joseph's storehouses weren't built to impress Pharaoh's visitors.

They were built to feed people who were dying.

When famine came, Joseph didn't say, well, that's their problem.

He opened the storehouses and this is the correction.

Prosperity that never leaves your hands is not prosperity.

It's hoarding.

The Bible says God gives seed to the sower and bread for food and increases your store of seed.

Notice increase is tied to your willingness to sow.

God increases those who are channels, not those who are containers.

If God can get it through you, he will keep getting it to you.

And Joseph became a channel so strong that nations flow to him.

Some of you have been praying, lord, bless me.

God answers, why not to Condemn you to clarify you.

Because if your why is small, your stewardship will be small.

But if your why is kingdom sized, God can trust you with weight.

Prosperity without compassion turns into oppression.

Here is the danger, brothers and sisters.

Wealth can either soften your heart or harden it.

And the Bible does not dramaticize riches.

It warns us, riches can deceive, inflate pride and produce cruelty if the heart is not sanctified.

Joseph could not could have exploited the famine.

He could have price gouged people into slavery for his own gain.

He could have turned the storehouse into a throne of oppression.

But Joseph's story, when read in full, shows a man operating with responsibility.

Yes, Egypt becomes economically centralized.

Genesis 47 shows the progression.

But the overarching theme is people survived because provision existed.

Now let the word Confront US.

Isaiah 58 says you fasting and spirituality is fake if you ignore the hungry and oppressed.

Do you see that Sodom wasn't only sexual perversion.

It was also prosperity without compassion that should make the church tremble.

Because some believers want Joseph's wealth, but don't want Joseph's mercy.

You want the prime minister anointing, but you don't want the feeding the poorer lifestyle.

If your prosperity makes you arrogant, it's not blessing, it is bait.

God does not increase you to make you cruel.

He increases you to make you generous.

He increases you to make you useful.

He increases you to make you a refuge.

Reconciliation is the final test of prosperity.

Now we reach the deepest part of Joseph's prosperity story.

Because the biggest test was not famine.

The biggest test was not administration.

The biggest test was not even sexual temptation.

The biggest test was this.

What will Joseph do when the people who hurt him come begging?

And here is where Joseph becomes a prophetic picture of Christ.

Like maturity, the brothers returns.

They don't recognize him.

They bow, exactly as the dream said.

And Joseph has power in his hands.

Power to punish, power to disgrace, power to avenge.

And what does Joseph do?

He weeps.

He says, I am Joseph.

Do not be distressed because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.

We read this in Genesis 45, 4, 5.

That is not weakness.

That is spiritual authority.

Revenge is easy when you have power.

Forgiveness is costly when you have power.

This is why I say, reconciliation is the final exam of prosperity.

Because wealth gives you options, and options reveal your Heart.

If you become rich and still obsessed with revenge, you are not healed, you are just funded.

Joseph could have said, now you'll feel what I felt.

But Joseph chose to break the cycle.

Prosperity is proven by what you do with power, especially with people who don't deserve your mercy.

Romans 12 says, do not take revenge, overcome evil with good.

Joseph embodied that before Paul wrote it.

And this is a word to believers.

Some of you want God to elevate you so he can show people you want the upgrade to become a weapon.

But God says, if I elevate you while your heart is still bitter, you will become dangerous.

God is not increasing your bank account, he is testing your heart account.

Here's a personal application for believers.

Define your why for prosperity.

Who are you called to feed, fund, build, heal and bless.

Create a giving system, not just emotional giving.

Decide intentionally to tithes, offerings, missions, charity, family, support.

Let increase sanctify you.

Practice gratitude, humility and generosity.

Now before you have more, here are some practical applications for ministry, work and family.

Your ministry prosperity should fund discipleship, evangelism, excellence and support for the vulnerable.

Work.

Don't just chase promotions, chase impact.

Because the leader people trust.

Become the leader people trust in crisis and for your family.

Be the Joseph in your home.

Provide stability, create storehouses and lead with mercy and not control.

Here there's Cherish Joseph's Prosperity checklist.

Very practical.

1.

Storehouses.

Do you have reserves, saving food, skill and spiritual depth?

And 2 Do you have a system?

Do you have do you budget and plan or do you wing it?

3.

Service.

Does your money bless anyone around you?

4.

A soft heart.

Are you becoming kinder or colder as you grow?

And 5.

Forgiveness Are you free from revenge fantasies?

Here are some encouragements and warnings I would like to leave you with.

The first one is don't preach prosperity and live in greed.

1 Timothy 6 warns that the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.

Money is not the devil.

The love of it is.

The second warning is that don't ignore the poor and call yourself blessed.

If you have access and can't see the suffering around you, your blessing has become blindness.

3.

Don't weaponize wealth.

God did not increase you so you could dominate people, embarrass enemies or control your spouse and children.

If your prosperity can't produce peace, not prosperity, it's pressure.

Here are some questions for reflection.

If God doubled your income this year, who would eat because of it?

2.

Has increase made you more grateful or more entitled?

And3 who do you still want to pay back.

And how is that affecting your destiny?

And four, are you building a life that serves the kingdom or a life that serves your ego?

Let us pray.

Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank you that you are the God who raises men from pits and seats them in purpose.

I thank you that you are not only the God of blessing, you are the God of burden, the God of responsibility and the God of calling.

Lord, sanctify our prosperity.

Purify our motives.

Deliver us from greed.

Pray pride and selfish ambition.

Make us Josephs people who carry wisdom, discipline and compassion.

Teach us to build storehouses that feed others.

Teach us to live with open hands.

Teach us to be generous without pride and excellent without arrogance.

And Father, where bitterness still lives in our hearts uprooted.

Heal us from betrayal, Free us from revenge.

Give us the power to forgive especially when we finally have the power to punish.

Make our lives a pipeline of provision.

Let our money preach, Let our generosity testify.

Let our work save lives and let our prosperity advance your kingdom and honor your name.

We declare we will be blessed to be a blessing.

We will be increased to impact.

We will be trusted with resources to feed the world, not just ourselves.

In Jesus name, amen.