A Time To Gain And A Time To Lose

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Ecclesiastes 3:6
A time to gain,
And a time to lose;
A time to keep,
And a time to throw away;

Life is amazing, filled with daily struggles and personal battles. Sometimes we win, and sometimes we lose. Sometimes we stand, and sometimes we fall. But as long as we live, we will continue to fight this fight of faith, pressing on and never give up hope.

The life of Joseph is always an inspiration to me. He was a son of Jacob and Rachel. And he was greatly favored by his father who bestowed him a special coloured coat.

But he was betrayed by his own brothers, and was sold to Egypt. He was accused wrongly, and was sent to prison. Even in prison, he was useful. And people used him but then forgot about him. He was remembered years later, and was summoned to interpret the dreams of the Pharaoh. He ultimately became ruler of the land, second only to Pharaoh.

Joseph was born when his father was of old age. Thus his dad showed him more love and affection to Joseph. This caused jealousy and envy within his brothers. Their ill feelings were aggravated when Joseph told them about his two dreams.

In the first dream, his brothers were gathering wheat in the field. And all of his brothers’ bundles bowed to Joseph’s bundle, showing Joseph ruling over them. In the second dream, Joseph saw the sun, the moon, and eleven stars, symbolizing his parents and brothers, bowing to him.

Joseph was young, and he could be a winner in his own family, always running ahead of his brothers and always having the winning edge. But that was not what God had intended for him. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are His ways and thoughts higher! God had better plans for Joseph.

When Joseph was seventeen, Jacob told him to visit his brothers where they were tending their sheep. Little did he know that this was the last time he would see his dearly beloved son, until their reunion 22 years later.

Joseph’s brothers saw him coming from far away. Before he reached them, they made a plan to kill him. And they threw Joseph into a pit. Instead of killing him, they sold him into slavery to some traders who were passing by. He was eventually brought to Egypt, and sold to Potiphar, one of Pharaoh’s ministers.

For a while, things seemed to be starting to get better for young Joseph. He found favor in his master’s eyes, and was very successful. He was appointed head of Potiphar’s estate. However, this did not last long.

Attracted by his handsome looks, Potiphar’s wife desired to have Joseph, and seduced him daily. But to her dismay, Joseph continuously refused to heed her, to lie with her or to be with her.

One day, when no other man was home, his master’s wife grabbed his coat. But Joseph left his coat in her hand, and ran out of the house.

Potiphar’s wife then turned the tables on Joseph, telling her husband that it was Joseph who had tried to rape her. Potiphar believed his wife, and sent Joseph to prison.

But in prison, Joseph was not wallowing in sorrows and blaming God! He gained the favor of the warden, who then appointed him as his right-hand man.

In time, the king’s royal cupbearer and baker were imprisoned. They had dreams, and Joseph interpreted their dreams successfully. The baker was hanged. The cupbearer was released and restored to his former position but he forgot all about Joseph.

Two years later, Pharaoh had two dreams, but none of his men were able to explain those dreams. And the cupbearer remembered Joseph, and recommended him to Pharaoh.

Joseph was summoned to Pharaoh when he was 30 years old. He interpreted the two dreams of Pharaoh, seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine. Joseph then advised Pharaoh to prepare to store the grains before they all disappeared.

Impressed by Joseph’s wisdom, Pharaoh appointed him as his viceroy, second only to Pharaoh himself. And Joseph was given the task of preparing the nation for the years of famine ahead.

Meanwhile, in Canaan, the effects of the famine were felt. Hearing that there was grain in Egypt, Joseph’s brothers journeyed there to buy food. They met Joseph, but they did not know that he was their very own brother.

Joseph used the opportunity to test his brothers. Through a series of events, his brothers’ determination to save their youngest brother Benjamin, Joseph’s only maternal brother, showed that they would not do the same again to betray their own brothers. Seeing their devotion towards Benjamin, Joseph finally revealed his true identity to the astonishment of his brothers.

Then Jacob and his family were reunited and settled in Goshen, the best land in Egypt.

After the death and burial of Jacob, Joseph’s brothers were afraid, thinking, “What if Joseph is still angry with us? We did many wrong things to him. What if he plans to pay us back?” So they sent a message to Joseph.

When Joseph received the message, he cried. And his brothers went to him and bowed low before him. They said, “We are now your slaves.”

But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Can I do what only God can do? You meant to hurt me. But God turned your evil into good. It was to save the lives of many people. And it is being done. So don’t be afraid. I will take care of you and your children.” So Joseph comforted his brothers and spoke kind words to them.

Joseph continued to live in Egypt with all his father’s family. He died when he was 110 years old.

The Lord knows what He has planned for us. He has good plans for us. He does not plan to hurt us. He plans to give us hope and a good future.

Life is not about winning always and all the time. Sometimes winning some things may mean losing other things!

Winning an argument may mean losing a friend or a family member. Winning in the short term may mean losing in the long term. Winning a few battles may mean losing the war!

There are moments when we need to know what is more important. In whatever we do, we should not let selfishness or pride be our guiding factor. We should be humble, and give more honor to others than to ourselves, esteeming others better. We should be interested in others, and not only in our own selves.

Sometimes by losing during those few temporary moments, we may win in the long run. There are many situations in life where it is better to lose than win!

In our own families, allowing ourselves to lose while playing some children’s games, may help to build the self-esteem of our children, and strengthen our relationships.

In times of family disagreements, arguments and quarrels, it may be better to lose than to win! We should not let our foolish pride have its ways, and destroy the family! Losing in those moments may make us to win in the long run. We must know what true victory is. What do we want to win? What is better for us as a family?

In business, getting a lower reward than expected at the start of a negotiation can sometimes be better. It may lead to a better and longer partnership that will benefit all parties.

At work, we should be gracious, allowing our colleagues to do things the way they want, even if they are contrary to our standards and ways. We should learn to let others shine. They may then become friendly and helpful in future assignments and projects.

For what good will it do to us if we gain the whole world, but lose our own souls? Or what will we give in exchange for our souls? We should know what is more valuable in life!

We should be unselfish like Jesus. In our lives, we must think and do like Christ Jesus.

Christ Himself was like God in everything. He was equal with God. But He did not think that being equal with God was something to be held on to.

He gave up His place with God and made Himself nothing. He was born as a man and became like a servant. And when He was living as a man, He humbled Himself and was fully obedient to God. He obeyed even when His obedience caused His death - the death on a cruel cross.

So God raised Christ to the highest place. God made the name of Christ greater than every other name. Every knee will bow to Jesus - everyone in heaven, on earth, and under the earth. Everyone will declare  that Jesus Christ is Lord, giving glory to God the Father.

No cross, no crown. No death, no resurrection.

Thus, there is a time to gain and a time to lose.

If interested, please view: My Worth Is Not In What I Own

 

Written on:
2 April 2024