Prosperity Through Purpose

Recap

Last week we started this dangerous sermon series on Biblical Prosperity.

We looked at Daniel’s life and how God fulfilled His purpose in Daniel through Daniel’s integrity and stewardship of what God placed in front of him.

We talked about Stewardship as a word to embrace this year as we choose to be good stewards of what God has given us.

Remember -

Prosperity is a good thing! (Jer 29:11)

True Prosperity is found in fulfilling your God-given Identity and Purpose (Eph 2:10)

The focus is God and the mission is obedience. Identity is who you are IN HIM. Purpose is your calling IN HIM.

See how He is the focus.

God is Fulfilling His Purpose and has called us to be a part of His work (Eph 2:10)

Prosperity is not in Position - it is the fulfillment of God’s purpose. (Gen 45:5)

***

We are going to look at the life of Joseph found in Genesis 37 and on.

Joseph grew up as his father’s favorite and his brothers hated him for it. He also had a habit of telling dad about the wrongdoings of his brothers. But God was doing a work in the world that Joseph did not yet understand.

God gave Joseph prophetic dreams of his family bowing down to him. He did not understand them at the time, but God was showing him a glimpse of what would come.

Genesis 37:23–24 NKJV

23 So it came to pass, when Joseph had come to his brothers, that they stripped Joseph of his tunic, the tunic of many colors that was on him. 24 Then they took him and cast him into a pit. And the pit was empty; there was no water in it.

Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery because of their hatred of him.

I - Purpose Endures Injustice

God’s purpose is at work, even when we are wronged (Gen 39:2)

Purpose Survives Rejection

Betrayed by his brothers, stripped of his robe, sold into slavery.

No position, no power — but God’s purpose was still active.

The pit wasn’t the end — it was the beginning.

Key Point: Purpose isn’t canceled by rejection or injustice. Prosperity Result: God was already positioning Joseph for influence and used this situation to form Joseph.

God did not cause Joseph’s brothers to hate him. But even in their hatred, God brought a Caravan to lead Joseph to his calling.

***

When Joseph got to Potiphar’s house, he was purchased with no rights and no value.

Sometimes we feel like we are in this place.

Genesis 39:1–2 NKJV

1 Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. And Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him down there. 2 The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a successful man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.

II - Purpose Thrives in Service

Joseph served God and served where he was positioned (Col 2:23)

Colossians 3:23 NKJV

23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,

Purpose Thrives in Service

Joseph served faithfully in a foreign land.

He didn’t wait for promotion to act with excellence.

God’s favor rested on him because of his integrity and diligence.

Key Point: Purpose is revealed in how you serve, not where you serve. Prosperity Result: Joseph was entrusted with everything in Potiphar’s house.

Joseph was faithful with a little and he was entrusted with Potiphar’s whole house

JOSEPH WAS SUCCESSFUL BUT WAS STILL A SLAVE AND EVERYTHING HE PROSPERED IN, WAS FOR THE BENEFIT OF OTHERS.

Where Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery, Potiphar’s wife tried to seduce him and then accused him to her husband which caused him to be thrown in the King’s prison.

By now time has already gone on. He had shown himself faithful, right?

Now he is in prison again. But God’s purpose was still at work in Joseph.

Genesis 39:21–22 NKJV

21 But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. 22 And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners who were in the prison; whatever they did there, it was his doing.

God was WITH Joseph. He was not alone.

III - Purpose Requires Perseverance

Joseph continued to honor God in the midst of his mistreatment and unfair circumstances. (Matt 5:44; Rom 12:14; 1 Peter 3:9)

Romans 12:14 NKJV

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

**Are you going through situations that seem unfair? Look for the purpose of God being fulfilled in your life.

Purpose Endures Injustice

Falsely accused, imprisoned, forgotten.

Yet Joseph kept interpreting dreams, encouraging others, and trusting God.

His gift made room for him — even behind bars.

Key Point: Purpose doesn’t depend on fair treatment — it depends on faithful stewardship. Prosperity Result: Joseph gained influence even in confinement

***

In the midst of all of this, God blessed Joseph to be a blessing, even in prison.

He interprets dreams for the baker and the cub bearer. He asks the cup bearer to remember him (but he forgets)

Eventually the Pharaoh has a dream and God uses Joseph to reveal it. There would be 7 years of plenty followed by 7 years of famine.

Years have gone by now. He was 17 with his father. He was 30 by the time he goes before Pharaoh

IV - Purpose is about Perspective

Aligning yourself with God’s purpose for you allows you to be a part of His amazing work.

Joseph interprets Pharaoh’s dream and is promoted. His promotion reveals his faithfulness and ability to glorify God with the promotion.

He uses his position to save nations, not just himself.

His prosperity was never about comfort — it was about calling.

Key Point: Purpose is fulfilled when your prosperity blesses others. Prosperity Result: Joseph becomes a channel of provision and wisdom.

If you chase promotion, your focus is wrong. When you steward your purpose and keep your eyes on God, you are prosperous no matter the outcome.

Joseph showed that he could honor God with nothing or with riches.

LOOK AT JOSEPH’S PERSPECTIVE:

Genesis 45:5 NKJV

5 But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life.

He saw God in the middle of injustice, slavery, servitude, lies, and forgetfulness. This was his conclusion from all the experiences he went through.

Look at what Paul says about honoring God...

Philippians 4:11–13 NIV

11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Can you honor God when life is unfair or unjust?

Can you serve God and others faithfully?

Can you be a good steward of what God has entrusted to you?

Luke 16:10–13 NIV

10 “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. 11 So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? 12 And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own? 13 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”

***

If you want to have Biblical Prosperity (Success),

Look at what God has placed in your hands right now

Understand God has positioned you for His purpose and His plan

Serve faithfully where you are (be a good steward)

Keep your eyes on Jesus (your only master)

Allow the blessings and success God gives you to flow through you now

*If you are in an abusive place (physical, drugs, etc), get help and watch God use what the enemy wants to destroy for your good.

Are you being faithful with what you have?

Are you content, or are you dissatisfied and looking for what God has not given you?

Are you tempted to chase money, position, promotion, influence, or self?

Surrender it to the Lord.