For over a decade, Joseph didn’t catch a break with being the recipient of a string of seemingly negative events: through the betrayal of his brothers, being sold into slavery, and then thrown into jail for a false accusation of seducing Potifar’s wife.

Finally, Joseph’s golden opportunity arises when he is quickly taken out of jail and placed in front of Pharaoh, the most powerful person in Egypt, who needs his help. “And Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘I dreamt a dream, but no one can interpret it. Now I heard it said of you that you comprehend a dream to interpret it.’ (41:15) At last, Joseph is in a position to garner power, prestige, or in the very least freedom.

Joseph’s response to Pharaoh, however, negates any personal motive and instead puts his trust in God at the forefront. “Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, ‘That is beyond me; it is God Who will respond with Pharaoh’s welfare.”.(41:16) Instead of capitalizing on an opportunity, Joseph remained steadfast to his faith and humility.

Even if not boasting about his talent of interpreting dreams, Joseph could have just mentioned to Pharaoh that he could try, or that he had been successful in the past. Why potentially forfeit this opportunity by claiming it is beyond him and only up to God?

Lesson: It feels good to take credit for things that we have or accomplished. When someone receives a compliment for being pretty, for example, one usually bats their eye lashes, and accepts the compliment, feeling pride and almost an entitlement: they work hard in keeping their figure, keeping up on the latest fashion, making sure their makeup is perfect, etc. While all that may be true, no one chooses what eye color they will have, how big or small their nose will be, or the speed of their metabolism.

Joseph recognized that it is God who bestowed him with everything, and was not willing to take even a small amount of credit for something, even if it meant forfeiting an opportunity that could cost him his freedom.

There is a beautiful idea that when someone gives credit where credit is due they bring redemption to the world. This is brought down in the Talmud (Megillah 15a) when in the story of Purim, Esther told King Achashverosh about the evil plot in the name of Mordechai. God brings miracles through people who are able to displace themselves and their ego and recognize someone else. Those are the people that will not take credit for God’s miracles, who allow God’s presence to be revealed in the world because they are not taking credit.

For example, if someone were to take sole credit for their big promotion, proclaim that it was their prowess, business acumen, foresight, etc. there is no room for God in that picture. When we acknowledge that God is the One who bestows us with everything, our amazing talents and capabilities, we exercise real humility and bring God into the picture. And that enables us to strive to accomplish great things.

Exercise: Give credit where credit is due. If you share a nice idea, say where you heard it from. If someone pays you a compliment, give credit to God, and to anyone else who may have had a part in it.