Now Joseph had been brought down to Egypt, and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard, an Egyptian, had bought him from the Ishmaelites who had brought him down there. The Lord was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, and he was in the house of his Egyptian master.

Genesis 39: 1-2

Success is often defined as the accomplishment of an aim or purpose. Sometimes it’s something significant—a promotion, a completed project, a meaningful conversation. Other times it’s far simpler. Today, for example, I replaced the shower door sweep in our camper. It worked. No leaks. That felt like a win. Success.

But that raises a deeper question: What does success really look like?

How, for instance, could a man sold into slavery in a foreign land ever be considered successful? Joseph’s story forces us to confront the possibility that our definition of success might be incomplete—or even flawed.

Joseph’s success wasn’t rooted in comfort, freedom, or recognition. One of the most striking things about his story is what we don’t see. We don’t read about endless complaining or bitterness over his circumstances. Somehow, Joseph was able to look beyond the injustice of his present situation. Perhaps it was his confidence in God’s ultimate purpose for his life that steadied him. Whatever the reason, Joseph chose faithfulness over frustration.

Instead of giving up, Joseph went to work. Scripture tells us that Potiphar noticed something different about him:

“The Lord was with Joseph, and he became a successful man… His master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord caused all that he did to succeed in his hands.”

Genesis 39:3

Joseph’s diligence, integrity, and dependence on God were so evident that Potiphar entrusted him with everything under his care. God’s blessing overflowed beyond Joseph’s life and into the household of an Egyptian official who didn’t even worship the same God. That alone says something powerful.

What stands out in this passage is that Potiphar recognized the role of the Lord in Joseph’s life. Joseph didn’t preach sermons or demand attention—his faith showed up in the way he worked, served, and carried responsibility. His dedication to God was visible even in a culture that wasn’t his own.

While none of us are slaves, most of us spend a significant portion of our lives in workplaces that test our attitudes and character. We may not control our circumstances, but we do control our response to them.

So the questions are worth asking:

• Are we known as complainers—or as people of quiet faith and steady excellence?
• Do others notice our commitment to doing our work well, even when it feels unseen or unappreciated?
• Does our dependence on God show up in how we treat others and handle responsibility?

Perhaps true success isn’t about position or ease, but about faithfulness—showing up each day, trusting God, and doing what’s in front of us with integrity. Like Joseph, we may find that God uses our faithfulness not only to shape us, but to bless others in ways we never expected.

And sometimes, success really is as simple as doing what needs to be done—well, and for God’s glory.