Joseph

February 12

Genesis 43:8-12, 45:12-13

From bad to worse

When Jacob heard that Simeon was still in Egypt and that the governor in charge of selling food wanted to see Benjamin, his youngest son, he was very upset. He said to his other sons, “Joseph is dead, Simeon is in Egypt, and now you want to take Benjamin from me as well.”

As the famine continued, Jacob began to realize that the only way their family would survive would be to send his sons back to Egypt to buy food, this time with Benjamin.

All this time, Jacob and his sons did not know that Joseph was alive and well, and that he was the one in charge of the food supply in Egypt.

How can I help people in countries where there is a famine?

How would you feel if you were in charge of all the food in Egypt? Would you feel powerful and important, or would you feel happy to be serving others? Maybe you have seen pictures of starving children. How do those pictures make you feel? You may feel upset that children your age are suffering and no one seems to care.

You could do something to help needy people! Even though your part may seem small, God sees your heart and He can turn something small into something much bigger:

• Pray for God’s mercy on their country, and if they need rain for their crops, that God would send them rain.

• Try to find out more about poor countries. Start a scrapbook with pictures and information about countries in need.

• Ask God to show you how you can help and, if you are wondering whether your part will really make a difference, read Mark 12:41-44.

Verse for today

“I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me (Jesus)” Matthew 25:40.