The 3rd Economic Principle
During the seven good years, Joseph had plenty of time to meditate and decide how he would take care of all the people in the land through the famine years.
Remember, ‘Prosper’ means ‘to push forward for benefit’. Joseph was put in second of command by Pharaoh because of his wisdom and counsel while interpreting Pharaoh’s dream. Joseph had a Godly mindset and therefore his heart was to ‘prosper’ Pharaoh. It is important to understand this key concept. This is emphasized when we understand that Joseph had a heart to do what was Godly and right to prosper his unsaved employer. He had a spirit of excellence that ruled him in whatever circumstance he was in.
Genesis 47: 15-19 shows Josephs’ next strategy. During the severe famine, after all the money and the food were gone, the people returned to Joseph demanding to have food or they would die. Joseph said, “Bring your livestock. I’ll trade you food for livestock since your money has run out.” So, they brought Joseph their livestock. He traded them food for their horses, sheep, cattle, and donkeys. He took them through that year in exchange for all their livestock. When that year was over, the next year came, they were back, saying, “Master, it’s no secret to you that we are broke: our money is gone and we’ve traded you all our livestock. We have nothing left to barter with but our bodies and our farms. What use are our bodies and our land if we stand here and starve to death right in front of you? Trade us food for our bodies and our land. We’ll be slaves to Pharaoh and give up our land—all we ask is seed for survival, just enough to live on and keep the farms alive.” Verse 22 tells us that only the land belonging to the Egyptian priests did Joseph not buy. That land had been allotted to them by Pharaoh.
In the seven years of the famine the people gave everything they had in exchange for food. Joseph prospered Pharaoh exceedingly by purchasing all that was of possible value on his behalf. Everything he did by design, act and deed was to prosper and benefit his boss. Joseph was not seeking personal gain. Joseph utilized two key principles. He trusted the Lord and His Word and he gave honor to the authority that presided over him. When we trust the Lord and His Word, we will prosper. Isaiah 48:17 says, “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit (benefit), who leads you in the way that you should go.”
We see the second principle in Eph 6:5-7
“Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:”
Also in in Rom 13:1-2:
“Every person should obey the government in power. No government would exist if it hadn’t been established by God. The governments which exist have been put in place by God. Therefore, whoever resists the government opposes what God has established. Those who resist will bring punishment on themselves.” -God’s Word Translation
Godly principles are exhibited in how Joseph handled his business matters and as a result he prospered exceedingly. They are also revealed in his respect and honor for his leader. They were further exhibited and highlighted when he continued to ‘prosper’ his leader even when he was in situations that were not prestigious or of a personally advantages nature.
“Don’t push your way to the front, don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.” – Phil 2:3 – Message Bible Translation
How did Joseph succeed so much? First, He sought the Lord. Mat 6:33 says,
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
We see that God gave Joseph a heart to employ these Godly principles for the benefit of his employer. So, the question remains, what is the economic principle employed at this juncture? It becomes crystal clear when we understand that Joseph prospered his employer by pressing his advantage while negotiating with the people for food. They wanted food and Joseph agreed to sell it to them for ALL of their livestock. When someone has acquired ‘ALL’ of something, it falls into the category of and very definition of a ‘MONOPOLY’.
The Online Dictionary describes a Monopoly as follows:
- exclusive control of a commodity or service in a particular market, or a control that makes possible the manipulation of prices.
- an exclusive privilege to carry on a business, traffic, or service, granted by a government.
- the exclusive possession or control of something.
- something that is the subject of such control, as a commodity or service.
- a company or group that has such control.
- the market condition that exists when there is only one seller.
Quite simply put, when God gives you the advantage in a situation, you have every right to monopolize the situation, goods and such for you or your leader’s benefit. The caveat being that you should be a blessing and not cause harm.
Joseph understood that because of his dreams that one day he would rule over his people. We are quite sure that was ever present in the back of his mind throughout his day to day life. As Joseph was promoted to second in command of all Egypt, you can be assured that the memory of the dream bubbled to the surface. He would certainly have had to been watchful and vigilant for an opportunity to save his family. With this in mind, we see him using the Godly principles of honor, respect of leaders and the promoting of their agendas and not his own. We see the strategic positioning that came from understanding the value of prophetic dreams and their interpretations. We also see the use of the economic principle of monopolization.
As Christians, we should never have the mindset of ‘I’m just getting by till Jesus comes’. We must learn to develop and have the mindset to ‘Exercise Dominion’.
We must learn to use all of our spiritual gifts, press the advantage and take dominion for the Kingdom of God.
“The kingdom of God suffers violence but the violent take it by force.” (Mat 11:12).
Joseph was nice and kind to people in the natural and gave them food in their time of need, but he was aggressive and violent in the use of his spiritual gifts, his prophetic abilities and his financial strategies.
- 3rd Economic Principle: Monopoly
- 3rd Spiritual Concept: Prophetic Strategies and Positioning
Ric Steele Ministries 