I’ve been reading and thinking about spiritual gifts lately, as a result of a study we’re going through in our small group at church. Everyone is taking a spiritual gifts inventory test and we’ll discuss our results in a couple of weeks. It’s fascinating to ponder the idea that the Lord provides gifting in new ways to those who choose to commit to him.
Joseph (of the amazing technicolor dream coat) demonstrated two specific gifts. First, he interpreted Pharaoh’s dreams about emaciated, carnivorous cows and violent wheat stalks. God calmed Pharaoh’s troubled mind with clarity about an impending famine, and Pharaoh immediately drafted Joseph to lead the preparations.
Here we see Joseph’s second spiritual gift in action: During the seven years of abundance the land produced plentifully. Joseph collected all the food produced in those seven years of abundance in Egypt and stored it in the cities. In each city he put the food grown in the fields surrounding it. Joseph stored up huge quantities of grain, like the sand of the sea; it was so much that he stopped keeping records because it was beyond measure.
Joseph demonstrated the gift of administration. The gift is described as bringing order out of chaos, focusing on the best possible utilization of available resources, formulating plans, framing policies and setting objectives. Sounds like Joseph as he managed the food supply of a nation headed into crisis.
The Lord previously blessed Joseph in Potiphar’s house and in an Egyptian prison, places where his organizational gifts emerged and strengthened. Turns out these challenging situations sharpened his skills for the major test on the horizon.
How in touch are you with your spiritual gifts? I’ll admit, I don’t think about them much. Joseph never took a spiritual gifts inventory, but the Lord clearly gifted him in the service of others. It’s worth some thought to consider how the Lord might do so in our lives as well.
Genesis 41 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022
Photo by Shalitha Dissanayaka
Hi Dave.
Every spiritual gift inventory I have ever filled out always comes back with administration/organization as my top gift. At one time in my life I was motivated and passionate about leading/organizing events. After facing my codependency issues and God’s healing, I still score highest in administration. However, now days the only thing I want to administer is my own home. (I like cleaning closets, doing laundry, hosting holiday meals, working on my hobbies of scrapbooking, genealogy and reading). I know God has something else for me and I am waiting to see what that might be. I have tried different ministries at church but feel no passion for them. I continue to pray for God’s will, God’s way and in God’s time.
I hope you guys are doing well.
Love
Connie
Thanks Connie. I enjoy and appreciate your administration gift in regards to genealogy!
Yes, I agree he was a good administrator. And the story of Gods work (through severe hardship for Joseph personally) to provide food during the famine for many peoples is inspiring.
But I am disturbed by the way this story ends. Joseph requisitioned the grain for the common good, but then *sells* it back to the people, who have less to offer every year. It is clear from later chapters that the result is that Pharaoh owns the entire land and all livestock. This is a good administrative act for a ruler to accumulate wealth, but is it best for the people? As administrators, we have a responsibility to do our tasks not for worldly gain but in resonance with God’s heart.
You make a very good point. Joseph still worked in the service of an all-powerful ruler, who may or may not have had the best interests of his subjects in mind. While he saved their lives, he reduced them to further servitude. Sobering aspect of this story.