Why do people claim success in their careers or in their businesses? Would they say it is because they are creative, aggressive, persistent, energetic or goal-oriented. Perhaps it is because they are good managers, able to motivate, persuasive or maybe just "lucky."
Look again at the passage above. None of these traits were used to describe Joseph's success. His success was not based on education, skills or even hard work. His success was clearly because the Lord was with him. God's word states very matter of factly that He gave Joseph success in everything he did. Why? In order for God's agenda or plan to be carried out, Joseph had to be successful.
As we continue to read about Joseph's success, we discover he "hits the wall". When he refuses to sleep with Potiphar's wife, she falsely accused him of rape and Joseph is thrown in prison. Did God let him down? No. God's uses all circumstances for accomplishing His agenda.
While Joseph was there in prison, the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison and he was made responsible for all that was done there. The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph's care, because the Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.
Genesis 39: 20-23
Again, God was with Joseph therefore he gained favor with the warden. Because God blessed Joseph with success, the prison was a much better place. Later Joseph was released from prison and through a series of events which we won't develop today, he was given the promotion of his lifetime. Even Potiphar, an unbeliever, recognized that Joseph's success was because of God.
Success for us as Christians in our workplaces is based on a right relationship with God. He is the source and the "key to success" not by the world's standards but by the "God's standard's.
Whose standard's will you follow this week?
Pray that those around you will know that your success comes from God?