The Key to Prosperity

Genesis 39:21-23

1. Joseph was living under very adverse conditions

2. He had lost everything and all position that he had once had

3. His own family had turned against him

4. He had been sold into slavery

5. He had been falsely accused and condemned without even a trial

6. He is in jail or prison for a crime he did not commit

7. He has no family, no friend, no one to rescue him

8. His prosperity didn't mean that he would necessarily be where he wanted to be or be doing what he wanted to do

9. He was a prosperous man 39:2

10. Most of us have our own opinion of what it means to prosper

11. Achieving economic success

12. Attaining a desired end or state of good fortune

13. God obviously had another idea about prosperity

14. God’s blessing in spite of circumstances

15. God’s blessings on right attitudes and hard work regardless of conditions

16. Joseph prospered as a slave 39:3

17. Joseph prospered even in jail 39:23

18. Most would probably not have thought of Joseph as prospering but God said He was prospering him

19. III.The focus of his life story is the work of the Lord in his life

20. The Lord was with Joseph 39:2, 3, 21, 23

21. The Lord made all that he did to prosper 39:3, 23

22. The Lord blessed even the Egyptian because of Joseph 39:5

23. The reason that Joseph found favor and mercy in the jail was that the Lord was with him 39:21

24. The word Lord is found 8 times in this chapter 39:2, 3, 5, 21, 23

25. His prosperity is really found in his relationship to the Lord God of Heaven

26. Truths to remember

27. Prosperity did not mean that he wasn’t working very hard--both in Potiphar’s house and in the prison

28. He was trustworthy even when things weren't going his way

29. He had learned to deal with rejection and apparent failure

30. He never knows or has any idea that things are going to take a turn for the better--he just enjoys the blessings of God where he is

31. Prosperity isn’t what men see as prosperity but rather what God sees as prosperity

32. The central figure in the story isn’t Joseph but rather the Lord who is doing everything

• Do you have a wrong concept or idea of what it means to prosper?

• Do you focus on your circumstances in comparison to what you want rather than whatever God has in mind for your life?

• Have you lost your joy because things aren’t turning out like you wanted or expected?

• Who is the central figure in your story?