Not In Me

The king of Egypt praises a prisoner named Joseph:

“I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.” (Genesis 41:15)

This is Joseph’s chance. Once a slave at the head of Potiphar’s house, he had been stripped of his privilege and rendered a prisoner in chains. Joseph has no freedom, no possessions, no status. And here, the king is asking him for help, giving him the chance to affirm the rumors of his magnificence.

But instead of taking the opportunity to get out of his shackles in pride, Joseph stays low: 

“It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer.” (Genesis 41:16)

Joseph corrects Pharaoh. 

He tells him that the rumors are wrong: Joseph can’t interpret the dream. 

But God can. 

When the Spirit gives Joseph the interpretation, Pharaoh honors Joseph anyway. Redirecting the king’s praise didn’t take anything away from Joseph. It only served to point the focus on God’s power.

“Can we find a man like this, in whom is the Spirit of God?” (Genesis 41:38)

Because Joseph said that the gift was God’s, Pharaoh’s awe is pointed toward the One who is worthy of it.

When others praise you, don’t relish—redirect. Be quick to show the label on your gifts: made by God, not by me. The gifts are not meant to highlight your greatness, like a crown hung on your head. They are meant to highlight the greatness of the Maker— like an awe-inspiring canvas, hung on your wall but painted by another.

Live in such a way that others will not ask how you cultivated your skill, but how they, too, can receive the Spirit of the Living God.