And his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the LORD MADE ALL HE DID TO PROSPER IN HIS HAND. 4 So Joseph found FAVOR in his sight, and SERVED him. Then he made him overseer of his house, and all that he had he put under his authority. (Genesis 39:3,4)

• When you serve where God has planted you, you receive God’s favor and you prosper.
• Promotion comes because you serve.

If serving is beneath you, then God’s promotion is beyond you.

For exaltation (promotion) comes neither from the east Nor from the west nor from the south. 7 But God is the Judge: He puts down one, And exalts another. (Psalm 75: 6-7 NKJ)

God has his own scale for promotion…your service!

• God turned up the fire again…not to destroy Joseph but to bring him closer to his calling and purpose.

When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the LORD your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior. (Isaiah 43:2-3 NKJ)

• Joseph is falsely accused of raping Potiphar’s wife and is thrown in prison.

So it was, when his master heard the words which his wife spoke to him, saying, “Your servant did to me after this manner,” that his anger was aroused. Then Joseph’s master took him and put him into the prison, a place where the king’s prisoners were confined. And he was there in the prison. (Genesis 39: 19:20)

• The prison wasn’t his burial ground. It was the potting soil for his calling and his destiny.

Never let LOYALTY and KINDNESS leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart.4 Then you will find FAVOR with both GOD and PEOPLE, and you will earn a good reputation. (Proverbs 3:3-4 NLT)

But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him MERCY, and He gave him FAVOR in the sight of the keeper of the prison. 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. The keeper of the prison did not look into anything that was under Joseph’s authority, because the Lord was with him; and whatever he did, the Lord made it PROSPER. (Genesis 39:21-23 NKJ)

The secret to Prosperity – Being pushed by God: SERVING

Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. (Colossians 3:23 NLT)

• Joseph discovered that secret. He found the secret to God’s favor was in service.

Jesus our greatest servant

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but TO SERVE OTHERS and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:28 NLT)

• Jesus came to serve you.

Serving was a big struggle for the disciples

Then they began to argue among themselves about who would be the greatest among them. Jesus told them, “In this world the kings and great men lord it over their people, yet they are called ‘friends of the people.’ But among you it will be different. Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant.

If serving is beneath you, then leadership is beyond you.

Who is more important, the one who sits at the table or the one who serves? The one who sits at the table, of course. But not here! For I am among you as one who serves. (Luke 19: 24 – 27 NLT)

CONCLUSION
What is the Holy Spirit saying to you through this message?