Accept Honors Graciously

Joseph took charge of the entire land of Egypt. Genesis 41:45

It’s confession time.

A few years ago, the leaders at our church asked me to join the elder board. This was an honor, as the men who had served previously were among the most godly and wise people I have ever known.

I had reservations about my qualifications. Once these were addressed, the proper thing to do was to accept or decline the appointment. Instead, I dishonored the people who had asked me to serve by joking that they had scraped the bottom of the barrel. I said I would serve until they came to their senses and asked me to leave.

What a jerk.

Compare this to how Joseph accepted the honor bestowed by Pharaoh.

Joseph did not question the appointment or hem and haw about whether he was qualified for the job.

This thirty-year-old former slave and prison inmate gracefully accepted his good fortune and honored his benefactor by humbly setting about the job at hand.

A class act.

Are you more like Joseph, or more like me?