Joseph is a fruitful bough . . .
	Genesis 49:22
The Bible defines fruit in five specific areas . . . In Romans 1:13, Paul tells us that the winning of souls is fruit unto God. Did Joseph win souls? Indeed! He saved his whole family from famine and drought. So too, when you share with your family, neighbors, or friends the good news of the Gospel, saving them from the drought in their own souls and from the fires of hell, you bear fruit that pleases God. Romans 6:22 identifies holiness as fruit. Perhaps best epitomized by his flight from the advances of Potiphar’s wife, Joseph lived a holy life. In fact, he is one of only two major Old Testament characters of whom there is no recorded sin. Philippians 4:17 identifies tithes and offerings as fruit. Joseph gave more than money in Egypt. He gave his life. Colossians 1:10 says good works are a fruit unto God. Did Joseph do good works? Yes. He saved an entire nation from starvation by storing up goods to distribute when there was need. Hebrews 13:15 names praise as fruit. When Joseph came to Pharaoh with the interpretation of Pharaoh’s dream, he directed all praise to God (Genesis 41:16). These five areas, so evident in Joseph’s life, are summed up in a sixth New Testament reference to fruit: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. - Galatians 5:22–23 The fruit of the Spirit is love as defined by joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and self-control. The fruit of the Spirit is love. That’s why we give of our time and money. That’s why we lift our hands in praise. That’s why we share with others. With all of these qualities flowing through his life, no wonder Jacob said to Joseph, “You are a fruitful bough.” “Good for Joseph,” you might be saying. “But why should I be fruitful?” Because if we don’t satisfy Jesus, not only will we not satisfy anyone else, but we won’t satisfy even ourselves. Listen, gang, if you are not living to please God, then your life will dry up from the roots, from below the surface, from deep within, and you will experience emptiness, frustration, depression, and a lack of satisfaction. Live to please God, on the other hand, and your life will be marked by love.

This Daily Devotional is an excerpt from the book "A Pillar By Day" by Pastor Jon. "A Pillar By Day" is a collection of 365 short devotions from the Old Testament books of Genesis through Deuteronomy.