The 2nd Principle
Joseph had a heart to serve God and give to glory to God. He honored God in his actions and lifestyle. Whatever project Joseph was given he had a ‘Can-Do’ spirit. He excelled in his service, whether he was imprisoned falsely, running Potiphar’s household or being governor for Pharaoh over the land of Egypt. Joseph integrity was beyond question. When it came to handling other people’s resources he had something we call: ‘Scalable Integrity’.
Scalable Integrity means that are you the same person with small amounts of money as when you have a lot of money. How often do we hear of people that have come into a lot of money and then have a complete personality change? Money has an interesting effect on people. Money is simply a magnifier of the type of person you are. An evil person with money will be empowered to do more evil things on a larger scale. A godly person will be empowered to do more godly things on a larger scale. We must understand that Joseph was faithful and maintained his integrity while handling Pharaoh’s resources.
The famine was over the earth and countries came to Egypt to buy corn (seed). Under the hand of Pharaoh, Joseph stored up seed to cover the people during the famine years. As mentioned before, Joseph used a godly principle of saving 20% and live off the 80%. We can look at this in a prophetic light. The Egyptians were in a famine. They didn’t have any corn or seed. Spiritually this equates to not having the Bread of Life or Spiritual Seed from which to reap a harvest. This equates spiritually to there being a famine of the Word of God in the land.
We can go so far as to say that there is a type of famine of the Word in our country today. There are a lot of flamboyant personalities, fluff and politically correct messages being promoted to tickle the ears of people, create an illusion or build an empire. The enemy has done a masterful job at dispersing misinformation. The unfortunate issue is that this has sometimes been substituted for the real uncompromised Word of God.
2 Timothy 4:3 says: “For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine and accurate instruction (that challenges them with God’s truth), but wanting to have their ears tickled (with something pleasing), they will accumulate for themselves (many) teachers (one after another, chosen) to satisfy their own desires and to support the errors they hold.”
As we adhere to sound doctrine of the scriptures, we know that God will prosper us. And in that, we will know that our prospering will not be based in lies, manipulations and greed but empowered supernaturally and upheld by His Grace.
The Bible tells us in Genesis 47:13:
“And there was no bread in all the land for the famine was very great, so that the land of Egypt and all the land of Canaan fainted by reason of the famine. And Joseph gathered up all the money that was found in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, for payment of the grain. Joseph brought all the money into Pharaohs’ house.”
Joseph not only had the people give 20% of their seed but he also purchased all that was available throughout the entire country. Under Joseph’s hand, Pharaoh controlled ALL of the food in the land!!
What Joseph could not acquire through taxation, Joseph accomplished through outright purchasing. Buying something using money is nothing other than an exchange of something that has an agreed upon value. The same principle can be applied whether or not you use money. It is simply an ‘exchange of value’.
The use of money as an accepted currency has made the whole system of transacting business easier. Can you imagine the old days of lugging around large sacks of gold in order to buy things? The modern version of digital currency and electronic purchasing makes it far easier, faster and traceable. However, it all boils down to the original system of Barter. Barter or Exchanging simply means “I will give you this for that”.
Joseph’s use of the Barter System is a fundamental and easy to overlook concept. However, it will play a tremendous role in the future as we explore the other economic principles he used.
The spiritual implications of The Barter System is simple. It is what Jesus did for us on the Cross. He exchanged our sin, sickness and death for His Righteousness, Grace and Life. Isa 61:3 clearly shows the spiritual exchange concept:
Isa 61:1 “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
Isa 61:2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;
Isa 61:3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.”
In that scripture, every negative thing was exchanged for a blessing! Jesus, Himself, makes a direct reference to this in Luke 4:19 & 21 when He refers to Isa 61:1-3
Luk 4:18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
Luk 4:19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
Luk 4:20 And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.
Luk 4:21 And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.”
Throughout Joseph’s story, we can’t help but notice how Joseph is a Type and Shadow of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ, The One who by His sacrifice exchanged His death for our life. Joseph and Jesus both bartered and used exchanges to save the people.
- 2nd Natural Economic Principle: The Barter System
- 2nd Spiritual Economic Principle: Exchange
Ric Steele Ministries 