TRIBUTES TO MOTHERS

 

     Good day.  I know that this article is a little late for Mothers  Day but actually we should be thanking our Mothers and spouses  every day of the year.  Abraham Lincoln said, "I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life"  Mothers are the hidden workers .  They do all the things that would not get done.  Today being a wife, mother and balancing a career is a fine line.  My hat goes off to women who choose a career and still raise a family.  My daughter is such a woman.  She is a nurse and raises four children the years.   She is absolutely amazing.  My wife help raise four children and she has been my helpmate for decades.  She is an example of a godly woman

     One man wrote, “A mother's role is to love her children with all her heart. It is also the role of every mom to understand her children. When a child feels this, he or she learns to trust the parent(s) better. Listening is crucial to understanding.”  Here are six qualities of a good mom.  Be a good role model.  Set boundaries and Rules.   Be respectful.  Respect is two sided.   Be supportive and loving. Be Patient.  Walk in forgiveness.  Children need to see what true motherhood especially in a world of changing values.  Consistency is the key.

     One mom wrote, there are several things mom do on a weekly basis.  You are housekeeper, resolve conflicts, event planner, teacher, driver, laundry, counselor, health care provider, finance manager, activity coordinator and world changer.  That is an amazing list.  I just want to say on behalf of all of us a great big thank you.  You are an example for all of us.  I also want to especially thank all the single mother households.  You are everything in your family unit.  Many professional athletes were raised by single mothers and so many attribute their success to the tenacious determinations of their mothers.  Thank you.  As I close this article I am going to leave you with Solomon’s view of a godly woman from Proverbs 31.    A wife of noble character who can find?  She is worth far more than rubies.  Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.   She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.  She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.  She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.  She gets up while it is still night;

she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants. She considers a field and buys it;

out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.  She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.  She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.  When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.  Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.  She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.  She speaks with wisdom and faithful instruction is on her tongue. she watches over the affairs of her household  and does not eat the bread of idleness.  Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.  Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”  Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.  Thank you from all of us. 

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QUOTES FOR APRIL 18, 2026

 

TRUE BLESSING PART 2

 

8 When Israel saw the sons of Joseph, he asked, “Who are these?” 

 

Lesson One:  So Jacob is looking at two grown men and he says, “who are these boys.”  Jacob had not seen the boys for a long time.  A few lessons about family I want to bring to your attention. 

 

Always see each other as often as you can. 

Eat meals together and do things together whenever possible. 

Support and encourage one another. 

Listen and look for times of conversations and listen. 

Make time together a priority, control your schedule, plan with purpose, and get involved in your children’s interest. 

Your motto and mission statement must be God, spouse and then family.   Now in our society somehow work, sports, and other things have gotten in the way but if you want a strong family you have to get your priorities straight.  Talk about Cats in the cradle

      Now it is sad that Jacob did not meet the boys for years.  Now they would have been dressed as Egyptian nobleman, which they were.  They had been raised as Egyptians but now they are about to embrace and receive what being a Hebrew nobleman was.  Remember our lives have many facets to them.  We are complicated beings.  Always make your spiritual life a number one priority.  This is the most important part of life.  Remember Jesus said, seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.  Gordon Macdonald tells us that who we are in private is the real us.  Jesus said out of the heart is the issues of life.  Make sure your heart is right before God.  God wants to walk with us! Getting our lives in order spiritually and practically begins with the decision to make it our number-one priority.  God wants to have a meaningful relationship with us daily. He never puts us on hold, and we never have to stand in line.  He does not delegate our spiritual growth.   He is always waiting on each of us to come to Him.  Bringing our lives into spiritual order requires a strategy.  Daily Bible reading, journaling, reflection on the word and application of the word.

 

9 “They are the sons God has given me here,” Joseph said to his father.  Then Israel said, “Bring them to me so I may bless them.” 

 

Lesson Two:   Now Joseph says, “These are the sons God has given to me.”  Joseph acknowledges God’s hand upon his life.  From Hebrew prince to slave, to prisoner and now Prime Minister God has been with us.  Remember God is with you always.  He promises never to leave or forsake us.  In the dark, troubled and difficult periods He is with us.  When things are going well He is with us.    Joseph made his family is a godly family.  The main responsibility of a parent is to raise their children in the fear and admonition of the Lord.  Our children are a gift from God.  They are a heritage from God to us.  We must look at our children as a borrowed gift we have been given to raise and then release into the service of the Lord.  We are to train them in the way they should go and when they are old they will not depart from it.  So here are some tips on raising Godly children. 

 

Put Christ first.

Model what a Christian should look like.

Make family a priority.

Teach your children from the bible and about God.

Connect with a church and attend regularly. 

Encourage your children to have godly influences in the lives. 

Pray for your children everyday,

Serve others with your children. 

Share your faith around your children. 

 

     So Jacob, asked Joseph to bring them to me so that He can bless them.   Israel was about to confer or invoke divine favor upon and ask God to look favorably on.  It is a moment where you want to bestow on them some gift temporal or spiritual.  You want the person you are blessing to have God’s mercy, grace and goodness on their behalf. 

    

10 Now Israel’s eyes were failing because of old age, and he could hardly see. So Joseph brought his sons close to him, and his father kissed them and embraced them.

 

 

Lesson three:  So Jacob, asked Joseph to bring them to me so that He can bless them.     Now Israel’s eyes were failing because of old age so he could hardly see.  Just a note, Jacob had the same problem as his dad in old age, failing eyesight.  Just because you are godly does not mean you are not subject to problems with old age.  If you are not you are blessed.  I guess that is why we now have medical replacements these days. 

 

So here are some great ideas on how to grow old gracefully.

 

Stay connected with God.

Stay connected with family and friends. 

Be kind to your skin. Your skin is your body's largest organ. 

Exercise and stay physically active.

Mind your diet.

Mental health matters.

Lower your stress.

Get enough sleep.

 

    So Joseph brings the boys close and he hugs and kisses them.   Science shows that kissing, hugging, snuggling, and holding hands produce more than just beautiful moments. They can actually boost overall health, helping you lose weight, lower blood pressure, fight off sickness, and more.  It is a moment of affection, love, encouragement, affirmation, reassurance, security and comfort.

 

    Now the text uses the word Israel, because Jacob is about to kiss and bless them.  This is the moment where the boys are about to be elevated from where they were to where God was going to make them.  Remember God puts us where we are and makes us into what we will be all because of grace.  These boys were about to become greater than they ever thought they would be because of grace. It is the same with us because we could not do anything to bring about our elevation from sinner to saint and from alien to son.  This is such a powerful moment.  Last week we learned that they had been adopted into Jacob’s family and they are about to receive all the blessings that comes with it.  We in turn have been adopted into God’s family by Jesus Christ with all the blessings it brings.   As we close today.  Take a moment and let’s get ready to receive from the Lord today.

 

 

TRUE BLESSING

 

Some time later Joseph was told, “Your father is ill.” So he took his two sons Manasseh and Ephraim along with him. 2 When Jacob was told, “Your son Joseph has come to you,” Israel rallied his strength and sat up on the bed.  3 Jacob said to Joseph, “God Almighty appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan, and there he blessed me 4 and said to me, ‘I am going to make you fruitful and increase your numbers. I will make you a community of peoples, and I will give this land as an everlasting possession to your descendants after you.’ 

 

Lesson One:  Joseph is told that his Father was ill so he takes his two sons with him and they visit their dad.  He travels from Avaris to Goshen.  When Jacob was told his son Joseph comes Jacob rallies his strength and sits up on his bed.  Jacob was strengthened with the news of his son.  This often happens because visits encourage, and help people.  Emails letters and telephone calls are good but nothing is better than a one to one visit.  So do that if you can.  People still love a face to face conversation. 

     Now Jacob had some very important and prophetic business this day.  He tells Joseph his history.  Let’s follow it for a moment.  He tells him that the Lord appeared to him in Luz in the land of Canaan.  Luz is also called Bethel.  It was here that Jacob came to know God for himself.  This is where he had his dream of the staircase to heaven and the angels ascending and descending. Here is the scripture.

 

12 He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. 13 There above it, stood the Lord, and he said: “I am the Lord, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. 14 Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring  15 I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”

 

What a moment for Jacob.  He had a divine experience a face to face encounter.  This happened when he started out and now at the end of his life he is relating this experience to Joseph.  The principle is the same for us.  We have to know God for ourselves.  This is called being born again.  Just because your parents, or family members are saved does not mean you are.  You cannot inherit your faith.  You have to make that personal commitment.  This is one of the biggest myths promoted by people. 

 

     Now there are four promises God gives Jacob. First, I will am going to make you fruitful.  He also like Abraham and Isaac was given the promise of the land of Canaan as an inheritance.  Brothers and sisters in Christ we live in such exciting times because this promise is fulfilled and we are living witnesses to that.  Today the land of Canaan is Israel and Jerusalem is in the hands of the Jewish people. 

He had two wives, twelve sons and one daughter.   By the time he came to Egypt he had 70 people in his family.  Family dinners were quite the affair at Jacob’s place.

      Next, The Lord increased his numbers and in fact God promised his descendants would be like the dust of the earth.  This is why they had come to Egypt and Goshen.  They could increase in numbers. By the time Moses would lead the Exodus, 400 years later they would number in the millions.   The promise also given at Bethel was that they would spread across the four directions and all the nations of the earth would be blessed. Did you know that out of the 900 Nobel Prize winners 20% have been Jewish?  Ten of the 50 richest families are Jewish and in Russia 25% of the richest families are Jewish.  Entertainment, films, theatre, fashion, media and culture is influenced by Jewish people.  The world has been blessed because of the Jacob and his family.  Then of course the Bible was written by Jewish writers.  Our Savior of course was Jewish.  He is the ultimate blessing.  Salvation came though the Jews.  That is why we should be friends and pray for the Jewish people and nation. 

 

     Thirdly, I will make you a community of people or a nation.  It was here in Egypt and Goshen that Jacob, or Israel would become a nation with twelve tribes within the nation.  These four hundred years would be pivotal in the growth and development of this nation.  To grow as people we all need stability peace and protection.  God said at Bethel, “I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”   Did you know we have the same promise in Matt 28:20, where Jesus said he would be with us even to the end of the age?  God’s people are never alone.  You have divine protection.  God is going to create for you a divine environment where you can grow, develop and become what He designed you to be.  I love this.  This is so good.

     Lastly, He also like Abraham and Isaac were given the promise of the land of Canaan as an inheritance.  God promised that He would bring Jacob back to the land and give it to him as an inheritance.  Jacob may have been in Egypt but he would return.  This is one of the reasons why Jacob asked Joseph to bury him in Canaan.  It was his land of promise.  It was special to him because God had promised it to him.  What is God’s promise to you?  Whatever it is stand upon it and never forget it.  My occupational dream was to be a radio announcer and God has given it to me.  My dream was to have a godly wife, children and grandchildren and He has given it to me.  Ultimately He has given us salvation.  We have heaven as own home.  We are pilgrims passing through, our home is a city whose maker and builder is God.  We will dwell in a city foursquare.  We have divine protection, divine help and wisdom.  Jacob had this promise and here he was relating this promise to Joseph.   Brothers and sisters in Christ we live in such exciting times because this promise is fulfilled and we are living witnesses to that.  Today the land of Canaan is Israel and Jerusalem is in the hands of the Jewish people. 

      

 

5 “Now then, your two sons born to you in Egypt before I came to you here will be reckoned as mine; Ephraim and Manasseh will be mine, just as Reuben and Simeon are mine. 6 Any children born to you after them will be yours; in the territory they inherit they will be reckoned under the names of their brothers.

 

Lesson Two:  This is a divine moment and a moment in history.  Joseph’s two boys are about to become greater than they ever thought they were going to be.  Jacob is claiming Ephraim and Manasseh as his own.  They will be included in his immediate family.  So this is why when the people came out of Egypt 430 years later.  The tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh were included.  These tribes would be given territory and have a promise given to them.  So this is a moment of destiny, of divine promise and inheritance.  These boys were elevated.  Basically, Jacob adopts the boys and gives them equal status with his other children.  They are like Reuben and Simeon.  They have all the rights and status of sons.  This would be significant to their future and the future of their descendants.  Joshua was Ephraim and the conqueror of Canaan. 

     This next statement is so powerful.  Now I have been reading the bible for 45 years, read it a hundred times, preached on the life of Joseph many times but I got the full revelation yesterday.  Jacob states any children born to you will be yours.  The territory they inherit will be reckoned under their brothers.  It is obvious that Joseph had other sons because the tribe of Joseph is mentioned in the book of Revelation.  It replaces Ephraim because it was eliminated along with Dan because of the calf worship instituted by Jeroboam.  It is just like satan to desecrate later the very spot was Jacob has his encounter with God with idol worship.  Bethel was where the calf worship was started.  Joseph other family would prophetically become a tribe in the future.  Joseph and Levi would replace Ephraim and Dan.

 

7 As I was returning from Paddan, to my sorrow Rachel died in the land of Canaan while we were still on the way, a little distance from Ephrath. So I buried her there beside the road to Ephrath” (that is, Bethlehem).

 

Lesson Three:  Now this statement is a moment of sentimentality for Joseph and Jacob but also to tell Ephraim and Manasseh what happened to their grandmother.  Your grandmother whose name was Rachel died while in the land of Canaan.  Jacob relates to his great sorrow buried her by the road at Ephrath or Bethlehem.  In fact the tomb is still there and visited by thousands each year.   I can see the tears welling up in the eyes of Jacob and Joseph as they relate what happened to this wife, mother and grandmother. Rachel died giving birth to Benjamin.  She named him Benoni, which means the son of my sorrow.  Jacob changed his name to Benjamin which means my right hand.   She never got to see these two boys standing beside Jacob’s bed.  I can see the pain, hurt, sorrow and love in their eyes as they relate this.  Joseph grew up without a mother after this.  There are a lot of tragedies in life.  Regrets and moments of missed opportunities.  Jacob wanted these boys to know what they were being elevated into.  He wanted them to know their family history.  Many people want to know their family history.  We have websites, TV programs and businesses that cater to this.  Where we come from and who we are, is important.  This was a moment of family history for the boys.  He was also saying, “If you boys get back to Canaan visit grandma’s grave and here is where it is.”  Now just a quick note.  The boys are in their mid-twenties when this happened.  Jacob is looking at two adult children not little boys as some people imagine.  They need this moment because they grew up in Egypt.  They were sons of a Hebrew dad and an Egyptian mother.  They had grown up in the lap of luxury and they were Identified as Egyptian.  All they knew what Egypt.  They also needed to know that where they lived, how they dressed, the friends they had were not the whole story.  They needed to know their Hebrew Heritage.  This was important to Joseph and Jacob.  They needed to know they were not just Egyptian but Hebrew as well.  They would also get all the blessings and inheritance of being Hebrew.  It is the same with us where we lived, how we dress, the vocation we have and the family we have is not the entire story.  As a Christian, child of God you are entirely defined by your nationality, language and skin color.  Listen to what the Bible says you are/  You are a victor, conqueror, overcomer, royal priesthood, holy nation, unique individual.  You are the church, body of Christ, child of the light, beloved, family of God.  You have all the promises, in heritage and privileges of heaven.  Now as I close today I want to remind you that you must take every moment that you have with family and friends as special.  Rachel never got to see her children grow up, she never saw this moment.  Tragedy happens and life is so uncertain.  You could be here this Sunday and gone the next.   Make the most of every meeting, encounter and time you have with others.  Make every word and gesture count for good.  Leave no hurt, bitterness, pain or sorrow not dealt with.  Walk in love, acceptance and forgiveness.  This is one reason for forgiveness.  Once someone is gone you will never be able to right the wrong and say what you wanted to say.  Tell people how much you love them and how much they mean to you while their eyes can see and ears can hear it.  I have heard so many times at so many funerals.  I wish I would have to them what they really meant to me.  Do it today. 

TRUE GENEROISTY

 

Intro:  We are looking at four truths contained in Psalm 112.  Psalm 112 is a companion psalm written by Ezra to the returnees from Persia and Babylon.  He was given the task of teaching them their language, religion, culture, and heritage.  He chose to use an acrostic psalm which is a letter of the Hebrew alphabet with a corresponding truth about God.  It is similar in pattern to Psalm 119 but in a shorter form.  Psalm 111 is a psalm about who God is and Psalm 112 is how we apply our knowledge of Him in practical ways.

 

 

1.      Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely,  Ezra reveals  truth about sowing and reaping.  When you sow good and that is what will come back to you.  It is the law of the harvest.  Jesus spoke about this many times.  In fact, He talks more about generosity, giving, and charity than heaven or hell.

 

a.      Goodwill is an outgrowth or benefit of being generous.  Generosity is the quality of being kind and generous.  It is being liberal, abundant, and giving.  It is an attitude follow by action.  It is a thought demonstrated through activity.  It is putting others before ourselves.  It is a fruit of the Spirit.  Generosity is love in action.  It is sacrificial giving.  It is time, talents and resources releasedfor the glory of God. 

b.      The Bible teaches six ways to give secretly, generously. purposely. cheerfully, sacrificially and

               proportionately.

c.      You are to lend freely.  Giving without expecting anything in return and without interest. Your love for God motivates you.

 

2.      Who conduct their affairs with justice.  The word “justice” means “to make right.” Justice is, first and foremost, a relational term — people living in the right relationship with God, one another, and the natural creation.  As God is just and loving, so we are called to do justice and live in love.

 

a.      This means that you treat people how you want to be treated.  It is the golden rule.  The relationship with God compels, drives, convicts you to treat people with love.  Jesus says people will know we are His disciples by the way we love one another.  Ezra is reminding the people of his day that being a covenant people have certain responsibilities

b.      All aspects of our lives are done in love, spouses, family, church, work, and in the greater world.  It means walking in the fruit of the Spirit.  Practical faith is the clearest expression of our relationship with God.  Being in harmony and unity with God and man is the best way to live. 

 

3.      Surely the righteous will never be shaken.  When you serve and follow the Lord no matter what happens you will not be shaken.  You are guided by faith, not fear.  You know all things work together for good.  You trust the Lord and lean not to your understanding, you acknowledge Him and He directs your path.

 

a.      You have an anchor, rock, and refuge.  You are hidden in the palm of His hand.  You know the fourth man in the fire.  You are like Daniel in the lion’s den.  You are like David facing Goliath.  You know that giant is going down.  Every mountain becomes a plain like Zech 4:6.  Your hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness.

b.      You know all the promises are yes and amen,  All things will be added when you seek the Lord and His righteousness.  The devil has to flee because you have submitted to Christ.  That greater who is you is greater than He that is in the world.  You know Jesus came to destroy the works of confidence is in God so we will not be shaken.

4.      They will be remembered forever.  Ezra once again talks about legacy.  Joshua did when he said, “As for me and my house we will serve the Lord.  (Josh 24:15), David said Ps 128:3, that our children should be like olive branches around our table. 

 

a.        Ezra hits this theme over and over.  He says you want to influence and be remembered for what has been shown in this psalm.  These are qualities of a godly person.  They are communicated attributes of God and will outlive you

b.      David is known as a man after God’s own heart.  Joseph and Daniel are known as men who were able to navigate an ungodly world through godliness.  Peter is known as the pastor of the church.  John as the beloved disciple.  Paul was the gentile apostle and writer of half the New Testament.  Jesus as the Savior of the world

c.      Your life does matter.  Only you can influence your world.  Your prayers, example, and lifestyle can touch so many. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

QUOTES FOR APRIL 17, 2026

 

TRULY GENEROUS

 

3 There was no food, however, in the whole region because the famine was severe; both Egypt and Canaan wasted away because of the famine. 14 Joseph collected all the money that was to be found in Egypt and Canaan in payment for the grain they were buying, and he brought it to Pharaoh’s palace. 15 When the money of the people of Egypt and Canaan was gone, all Egypt came to Joseph and said, “Give us food. Why should we die before your eyes? Our money is all gone.”

 

Lesson One:  So there was no food in Egypt and Canaan because of the famine.  This was a severe time for that region.  The wonderful thing is God will take care of us in the times of famine and hardship.  He promises never to leave or forsake us.  He will supply all or needs according to his riches in glory.  When you seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness everything will be added to you.  God will supply either supernaturally or a Joseph personality for you.  When you feel like you are wasting away God will fill you.  They that hunger and thirst after righteousness will be filled.

     Joseph collected all the money that was to found in Egypt and Canaan and brought it to Pharaoh’s palace.  Now in times of hardship the wise actually prosper.  Did you know that Isaac prospered 100 fold in a time of famine because he trusted God.  Gen 26:12  The Bible has five ways to prosper in famine conditions.  First be wise. Solomon asked for wisdom in 1 King 4:5-15 It was the wisdom of God that brought him such tremendous prosperity. It helped him in all the affairs of life. Next, in Proverbs 22:4. It says, “By humility and the fear of the LORD Are riches and honor and life”.  Be humble. Thirdly,  Be generous to others.  Proverbs 22:9 says, “He who has a generous eye will be blessed, for he gives of his bread to the poor.” When you give it is given to you.  Fourthly, Labor to give to those in need.  Ephesians 4;28 says, “Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let  labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.”  What we have should be available for others if they have need.  True generosity is releasing your resources for others.  Lastly.  Jesus said in Matthew 6:19-21, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.  Remember you are not of this world.  You are passing through.  You cannot take anything with you.

     The people of Egypt learned that when you are hungry and your money is gone you need someone to be generous.  Talk about the guy who was a welder out of work for nine months standing on the street with a sign looking for work and people offered him a job.  People can and will be generous if they know the need.  Whenever we do a radiothon I am always amazed at the generosity of God’s people.  You have to choose to be generous. 

 

16 “Then bring your livestock,” said Joseph. “I will sell you food in exchange for your livestock, since your money is gone.” 17 So they brought their livestock to Joseph, and he gave them food in exchange for their horses, their sheep and goats, their cattle and donkeys. And he brought them through that year with food in exchange for all their livestock.

 

Lesson Two:  Now remember this famine was going to be for seven years.  So the people brought all their livestock and Joseph bought it all in exchange for food.  A lesson we learn is that sometimes hard times can be for a long time.  When you are in hard times for a long period you learn four things.  First, you learn who your real friends are.  You learn who really matters, you will be grateful for them.  I am grateful for Lois she has been with me through the good and bad times.  Next, it builds the strength of your character.  It builds character,” was my mom’s favorite response to any complaint I had growing up. As annoying as that line was, it is true. Nothing builds our strength like surviving difficulty. Nothing forces us to leverage what we have, dig deep and come up with every ounce of integrity, patience and strength like a hard time.  Thirdly, we see what matters most, we’ll be able to look a little more closely at those things, take a bit better care of them and love them even more for being unmovable.  God’s love, grace, mercy, favor, anointing and promises are what matters.  Lastly, Difficult times leave us with a lasting impression. They alter us and change the way we view our lives. We have learned who and what matters in our life and undoubtedly we have a greater appreciation for them. Surviving hardship gives us a broader perspective on what hardship really is. You will look back on the things you use to complain about and be thankful they are your only worries. After we have survived a difficult time, we are given a deep gratitude for our life. Difficult times will happen. To find the light, we have to go through the darkness.  God uses hard times to change us.  The people learned this.

 

When that year was over, they came to him the following year and said, “We cannot hide from our lord the fact that since our money is gone and our livestock belongs to you, there is nothing left for our lord except our bodies and our land. 19 Why should we perish before your eyes—we and our land as well? Buy us and our land in exchange for food, and we with our land will be in bondage to Pharaoh. Give us seed so that we may live and not die, and that the land may not become desolate.”

 

20 So Joseph bought all the land in Egypt for Pharaoh. The Egyptians, one and all, sold their fields, because the famine was too severe for them. The land became Pharaoh’s, 21 and Joseph reduced the people to servitude, from one end of Egypt to the other. 22 However, he did not buy the land of the priests, because they received a regular allotment from Pharaoh and had food enough from the allotment Pharaoh gave them. That is why they did not sell their land.

 

Lesson Three:  So the people then the next year came and sold their land and themselves.  Joseph bought everything.  Now there were people who tried to hold out but eventually reality kicked in and they sold.  Now this is interesting.  They then asked Joseph for seed that they may live and not die and the land would not be desolate.  They had hope in the midst of famine.  Now hope can be built is built through good leadership.  The people saw Joseph as a good leader.  They knew he would be fair, just, good and generous.  Godly leadership does five things.  First, hope works with faith and love.  1 Cor 13:13, we must work with God or hope.  Our faith and hope in God inspires others to believe as well.  Next, hope build confidence in God, us and others.  The people saw that the one stable thing in Egypt and that was Joseph.  Joseph became a symbol of hope in a dark and famine time.  Hope brings clarity into life.  The people saw what really matter and they knew that they needed seed for the next year or the land would be desolate.  This is amazing they saw a future because of Joseph and the king.  Fourthly, hope inspired productivity and hard work ethic.  The people learned that only through hard work, productivity and clarity they would survive.  Lastly, Hope is a powerful force that brings people together.   It instills a sense of unity, collective pride and strengthens optimism when people work together as one.   This is why teambuilding is so powerful.  The people became workers together with Joseph.  I believe that Joseph said, “We are in this together and we will get through it together. ”  He knew that the famine would end and told them.  Hard times need good leadership.  This is not just for countries, province and municipalities but families.  Mon dad, your faith in God, each other will get you through the hardest times.  Remember we all have hard times but they do not last forever.  The only people who did not sell their lands were the priests of the land.  They got a regular allotment from the crown.  This gives a picture of the religious life of Egypt.  Here is a truth; a godly leader can influence a land of polytheistic belief.  Shine even in a dark place.  Joseph did.

 

23 Joseph said to the people, “Now that I have bought you and your land today for Pharaoh, here is seed for you so you can plant the ground. 24 But when the crop comes in, give a fifth of it to Pharaoh. The other four-fifths you may keep as seed for the fields and as food for yourselves and your households and your children.  25 “You have saved our lives,” they said. “May we find favor in the eyes of our lord; we will be in bondage to Pharaoh.”  26 So Joseph established it as a law concerning land in Egypt—still in force today—that a fifth of the produce belongs to Pharaoh. It was only the land of the priests that did not become Pharaoh’s.

 

This last lesson is so important.  Joseph did not take advantage of his position or circumstance.  He could have put the people into slavery he did not.  Never take advantage of someone when they are down and out.  Evil, selfishness, prejudice proud do that.  It happens all the time.  God hates it when people exploit others.  Employers, bosses, workers and families do it as well.  Joseph did not.  He made a law that only 20% of the harvest would go to pharaoh.  The rest was for them.  Now get this.  Joseph imposed a flat tax.  The people were to pay only 20% of what they earned to the government.  Now listen to this in the following countries income to government at all levels tax levels are.  In Austria and Denmark the tax rate for a family is 55%, Belgium is 50% and Germany is 45%, Canada is 48% and US is 26.5%.  Joseph imposed 20%, no wondered they said, “you have saved us.”  Egypt had the lowest form of taxation in the known world.  The answer to your question is does the government exploit us, yes.  Do we get value for government services, no?  Two things are for certain death and taxes.  True godly leadership looks for ways to lesson a burden not impose one.  The answer to your question does Canada have godly leadership No?  That is why we need to pray for those in authority so we can live quiet and peaceful lives.  Remember righteousness exalts a nation and sin is a reproach to a people.  So never, never, never exploit a situation, you are being selfish, vain, prejudice and evil.  True love, compassion, faith and generosity won’t.