Contemplative Bible Reading

Genesis 39:6 (New Living Translation)

So Potiphar gave Joseph complete administrative responsibility over everything he owned. With Joseph there, he didn’t worry about a thing—except what kind of food to eat!

This is the early part of the (hi)story of Joseph, his owner Potiphar, and Potiphar’s wife. Potiphar had put Joseph, a slave, in charge of everything he owned. Under Joseph’s stewardship, the crops and livestock of Potiphar flourished. The rich man became richer.

This was the right hand man of Pharaoh.

Things were so good in the house of Potiphar that the only worry he had was, “What’s for dinner?”

Me? What’s for dinner? I’m richer than Pharaoh’s right hand man. Really? Yes? And so are most of the people I know.

Do we act like Potiphar? Do we act like Potiphar’s wife? Are we watching our household for brewing troubles? Or is tonight’s dinner all we consider?

God, help me raise my mind and heart above my stomach. Let not my blessings cause me to fall.