Believers are indwelt with the Holy Spirit and given gifts for mainly two purposes, to glorify God and minister to others. Joseph provided a wonderful example of how we are to effectively use our gifts to accomplish these same purposes.
1. He used his gifts to teach God’s way.
Gen. 41:16 “And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.”
2. He used his gifts to teach God’s word.
V25 “And Joseph said unto Pharaoh, The dream of Pharaoh is one: God hath shewed Pharaoh what he is about to do.”
3. He used his gifts to teach God’s will.
V28 “This is the thing which I have spoken unto Pharaoh: What God is about to do he sheweth unto Pharaoh.”
V32 “And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice; it is because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.”
4. He used his gifts to teach God’s wisdom.
V38-39 “And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is? And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art”
LESSON - Joseph claimed no ability on his own. He acknowledged that his abilities came from the Lord. He viewed every question as an opportunity to glorify the Lord while instructing the unbelieving world surrounding him with the truth that only comes from God’s word. The gifts the Holy Spirit provides us are not talents for us to use at our discretion, but instead they truly are gifts to be used at God’s discretion because we are His. We were bought by Gods ultimate gift to us, His Son! So use what He has given you to glorify Him and strive for everyone to say the same of you that was said of Joseph “a man (or woman) in whom the Spirit of God is”
~Mike