Joseph Worked for the Lord
Month 11: Living It Out · Bible Story
Today's Scripture
Read together: Genesis 39:1-6
1 Meanwhile, Joseph had been taken down to Egypt, where an Egyptian named Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him there. 2 And the LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, serving in the household of his Egyptian master. 3 When his master saw that the LORD was with him and made him prosper in all he did, 4 Joseph found favor in his sight and became his personal attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household and entrusted him with everything he owned. 5 From the time that he put Joseph in charge of his household and all he owned, the LORD blessed the Egyptian’s household on account of him. The LORD’s blessing was on everything he owned, both in his house and in his field. 6 So Potiphar left all that he owned in Joseph’s care; he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate. Now Joseph was well-built and handsome,
Memory Verse
“Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, as for the Lord and not for men, because you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”— Colossians 3:23-24 (BSB)memorize this week
📖 Bible-in-a-Year (optional)
Today's reading: Jeremiah 1-4
Reading the whole Bible in a year — do this when you have extra time. (Around Day 308 of 365 — God calls young Jeremiah and says, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you.")The Heart of It
Joseph had every reason to give up. His brothers had sold him. He was far from home. And now he was a slave in a foreigner's house. Nobody would have blamed him for doing the bare minimum and feeling sorry for himself. Instead, Joseph worked so faithfully that "the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a successful man" (v. 2). His master, Potiphar, noticed something different about this servant. He could trust Joseph with everything. So he handed over his whole house. Joseph wasn't just working for Potiphar. Deep down he was working for God. And it showed in how carefully he did even the small, unseen jobs.
That is the secret our memory verse hands us this week. "Whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men." When you make your bed, finish your math, clean up the kitchen, or help a little brother, you can do it for God. That turns an ordinary chore into worship. Joseph couldn't preach a sermon in Egypt. But his excellent, honest work spoke loud and clear. People who didn't know God got a glimpse of Him just by watching how Joseph lived. Your good work can do the same thing today.
Around the Table
Joseph was a helper who did his very best, even far from home — and God was with him! When we do our best, we can do it for Jesus.
Let's do it: Pick one job today (toys, dishes, shoes) and say while you do it, "I'm doing this for You, Jesus!"
Joseph worked hard even when life was unfair. His good work made his boss trust him completely (v. 4).
Let's talk: What is one chore you usually rush through? How could you do it "as to the Lord" this week?
Joseph had no audience, no reward yet, and no reason to expect things to get better — but he worked with excellence anyway, and God was with him.
Let's go deeper: How does knowing your real "boss" is God change how you do schoolwork or a job when no one is checking?
💬 Conversation Starter
If a famous person you admire was secretly watching you do your chores today, would you work any differently?— Jesus actually IS watching. And He loves to see you work for Him!
🛡️ Defending the Faith
People sometimes say Christians are no different from anyone else. But a life of joyful, honest, excellent work is hard to argue with. When you do ordinary things well "as to the Lord," you give the world quiet evidence that your faith is real. Live it out with gentleness and gladness ().
For Dad · Go Deeper
Joseph models something dads need to model. He was faithful before he was ever promoted. He served with excellence as a slave long before he ran Egypt. So his character wasn't built by success. It was revealed by it. Your kids are absorbing their theology of work mostly from watching you, not hearing you. Do you grumble through tasks, or do them "heartily, as to the Lord"? Do you treat your job as a paycheck to endure, or a place to worship? gives dignity to all honest labor by aiming it Godward. Before you correct your children's attitude toward chores, ask the Spirit to search your own attitude toward Monday morning. The most powerful sermon on work you will ever preach is the one your kids see you live.
Draws on: Tony Evans, Kingdom Man.
Let's Pray Together
"Father, thank You for Joseph, who worked for You even when life was hard. Help our family do our work with our whole hearts, as if we are working for You. Be with us like You were with him. Let our good work point people to You. In Jesus' name, amen."
Even my smallest, unseen jobs become worship when I do them for the Lord.