Not for Sale: Learning Your God-Given Worth in Christ Through Joseph’s Story

Okay, quick show of hands—have you ever felt totally undervalued? Like you poured your heart out, showed your best self, and someone—friend, sibling, or even a teacher—treated you like you were replaceable? 

Or maybe you’ve felt like the universe just sold you out? Like you trusted people who should’ve had your back, only to realize… nope. They swapped you for something shiny, convenient, or just plain selfish. 

If you’re nodding your head, girl… Joseph gets it. He was literally pulled from a pit (not the metaphorical one, like your last friend group drama—actual pit), then sold to strangers for twenty shekels of silver. I know, right?! Twenty shekels. That’s like… basically a few measly coins. And yet, that moment? God was still writing the next chapter of his story.

Today, we’re talking about the sting of being undervalued, the betrayal that comes when others try to put a price on your worth, and how God can take what’s meant for evil and turn it into life-changing good.

Okay, so picture this: you’re stuck in the deepest, darkest pit imaginable. Like, no Wi-Fi, no snacks, definitely no escape. You’re screaming your lungs out: “Let me out! Get me out of here!” — and no one’s listening. That’s Joseph. He’s not sitting there quietly; he’s panicking, begging, hoping maybe just maybe his brothers are going to have a last-second change of heart.

But then… twist! They pull him out, not to save him, but to sell him. To strangers. To traders passing by. And girl, can we just pause for a sec? Can you even imagine the mix of emotions right there? Relief. Fear. Betrayal. Confusion. Joseph probably thought, “They’ve second-guessed their plan. I’m safe now… right?” And boom — nope. Wrong.

That’s what today is all about: how God works behind the scenes when people try to put a price tag on your worth. Here’s the tea, bestie. God is always still at work. And we’re going to unpack that right now! 

So anyway, WHAT IS UP MY SOUL SQUAD? 

It’s me, your favorite host, Kaase Levell, and I am SO STINKING GLAD YOU’RE HERE. 

Ok, now… can I paint a little scene for you real quick? So…you roll out of bed, ready to crush the day, and bam — everything hits sideways. 

Friends? Complicated. 

Dreams? On hold. 

Life? Messy. 

That’s exactly where Joseph lands — sold by the people he trusted most, thrown into a world he didn’t choose, and staring down a future that feels completely out of control.

Today, we’re diving into the chaos with him.

Now, before we get rolling, here’s a little rewind! Last episode was all about betrayal: how your dreams can make you a target and how even the people closest to you can ghost—or betray—faster than that yellow light goes red. Yep, it’s a lot.

Joseph’s brothers weren’t just jealous—they were letting favoritism run the show, and it got ugly fast. Their “big move”? Plotting to take him out entirely. WHEW, talk about next-level drama, am I right? Anyway, let’s hit pause on the heavy stuff and jump right in to this week’s funny confession!

If you’re new here, this is my moment to spill those weird little habits that somehow keep me mostly sane—and girl, I know you’ve got a few of your own tucked away.

So, confession time: I’ve been a midnight snacker extraordinaire for, like, 15+ years. That’s right—way before my husband, way before kids, way before I even knew what a bedtime really meant. Somehow, this habit has survived laundry, Zoom calls, and all the “adulting” that’s supposed to squash fun little quirks.

Here’s how it usually goes down: It’s dark. The house is quiet. I sneak into the kitchen like it’s a secret mission. And there it is—the Pop-Tarts, staring at me like they know my soul. I grab one, tiptoe back, and feel this tiny rush of victory. It’s ridiculous. I know everyone probably suspects who’s behind the midnight frosting raids… but that doesn’t stop me. It’s a skill, really. Fifteen years of perfecting stealthy snacking? That deserves a medal. Or at least a high-five from the fridge.

OKAY — your turn, babes. What’s your silly little habit that makes you feel alive, ridiculous, or just a little bit like a secret agent? A snack? A dance? A song you belt out at random moments? I need to hear it.

Slide into my DMs or hit me with a voice note—let’s trade funny confessions so I can feel slightly less guilty about my lifelong Pop-Tart obsession.

Okay, now that we’ve had our little laugh, let’s switch gears for a sec. Grab your Bibles—or open your Bible app—because we’re about to hit the good stuff. 

Y’all, God’s Word is pure gold, and we need to be actually opening it up, not just scrolling past it. 

Trust me, the crazy, intense, sometimes ‘what even is life?’ moments make so much more sense when we see them through Scripture. Phones down (unless you’re using the Bible app), hearts open…and let’s go.

Genesis 37:25-36 (NIV):

As they sat down to eat their meal, they looked up and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead. Their camels were loaded with spices, balm and myrrh, and they were on their way to take them down to Egypt.

26 Judah said to his brothers, “What will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood?

27 Come, let’s sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him; after all, he is our brother, our own flesh and blood.” His brothers agreed.

28 So when the Midianite merchants came by, his brothers pulled Joseph up out of the cistern and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt.

29 When Reuben returned to the cistern and saw that Joseph was not there, he tore his clothes.

30 He went back to his brothers and said, “The boy isn’t there! Where can I turn now?”

31 Then they got Joseph’s robe, slaughtered a goat and dipped the robe in the blood.

32 They took the ornate robe back to their father and said, “We found this. Examine it to see whether it is your son’s robe.”

33 He recognized it and said, “It is my son’s robe! Some ferocious animal has devoured him. Joseph has surely been torn to pieces.”

34 Then Jacob tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and mourned for his son many days.

35 All his sons and daughters came to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted. “No,” he said, “I will continue to mourn until I join my son in the grave.” So his father wept for him.

36 Meanwhile, the Midianites sold Joseph in Egypt to Potiphar, one of Pharaoh’s officials, the captain of the guard.

Pause. Just… let that sink in. Imagine the pit. Imagine being pulled out, only to see your life sold to strangers. And then your family thinks you’ve been eaten by a wild animal. Y’all. The trauma. The betrayal. The injustice.

Breaking it down

“So here’s what’s happening…we’re going to break this all down into 6 all-inclusive points. Point 1: The Pit vs. The Price Tag

Joseph screams, they pull him out…then sell him for twenty shekels. Twenty pieces of silver.

Not a “hey, maybe we should talk about your future?” Not a “wait, let’s figure this out.” Just…cash. To put it in teen terms: that’s like a few hundred bucks today. Your entire life, basically reduced to the price of a new phone or a concert ticket. Wild, right?

Here’s the real talk: when we let friends, peers, or anyone else slap a “price tag” on our lives—our choices, our identity—we’re handing over power that was never theirs to begin with. Every decision we make—who we chill with, what we say yes to, how we let people treat us—can either protect our worth or put it in someone else’s hands. And trust me…you do not want your value up for grabs. Your worth? That’s 100% God’s lane. Period.

And Judah? He suggests selling Joseph instead of killing him. Selfish? Totally. Practical? Sure.

But still heartless. Here’s the tea: scholars think Judah’s move was part guilt-avoidance, part “let’s make a little cash,” and part, maybe, a tiny flicker of moral thought. He wasn’t exactly trying to be a hero—he was steering the group away from full-on murder while still keeping Joseph’s life on the bargain rack. Basically, Joseph’s safety got a boost, but his value?

Still way undervalued. And friends, that’s the heart of today’s theme: just because someone “saves” you from the worst doesn’t mean they see your worth. Your life isn’t for sale—and no one else gets to decide your price. Period.

Ok, moving right along to point #2. The Fake-out Relief

Joseph probably felt a glimmer of hope when they pulled him up from the pit. “Maybe they changed their minds?” Nope. Wrong again. That little spark of relief? Crushed. Total emotional whiplash.

And let’s be real—this happens to us too. Maybe a friend seems genuinely interested in your side of the story… then suddenly ghost you when things get real. Or your group project partner finally offers to help… but just enough to make it seem like they’re invested while leaving you to do the heavy lifting. Or even a parent or sibling says, “We’ll talk about it,” and then disappears into radio silence. That mini burst of hope can feel like a tiny rescue, only to hit you with the reality that things aren’t actually changing.

Here’s the takeaway: those fake-out moments are not reflections of your worth. Your hope isn’t misplaced—your value isn’t being questioned—but it’s a reminder to stay rooted in what’s true and steady. When life offers that glimmer of “rescue,” take the lesson, not the heartbreak.

Recognize the situation for what it is, and don’t hand over your joy, your confidence, or your worth just because someone’s actions momentarily fooled you.

Alright, #3, God’s role behind the scenes. Let’s not over look this friends. The truth is, God’s got a backstage pass in all of this chaos. Seriously. Even when it looks like everything’s falling apart, God is still moving pieces around. 

Joseph getting sold to Egypt? 

Not the end. 

Just the next chapter in God’s bigger plan—a plan that would eventually save so many people, including his own family.

It’s wild, right? Things that feel like total betrayal or disaster? God can flip them. 

What someone else tries to use for harm, God can turn into something life-changingly good! So even when life’s throwing curveballs, the Creator’s still calling the plays.

Point number 4! 

Point 4: The Pain of Lies

Okay, friends, let’s talk about the messy aftermath of all this betrayal. First up: the lies. Reuben comes back to the pit, expecting to rescue Joseph, only to realize—he’s not there. Cue total freak-out. He tears his clothes in despair. And meanwhile, the brothers?

They’re out here covering their tracks with the goat’s blood and Joseph’s tunic. Can you even imagine the trauma? They’ve not only hurt Joseph, but they’ve crushed their dad’s heart too. Double betrayal. Oof.

Point 5: Jacob’s Grief (and a little reality check)

And that brings us to Jacob. Poor guy—he’s mourning like his world has ended. He refuses comfort and is fully convinced Joseph is gone forever. And yes, we can totally empathize—losing a child, thinking they’re gone, is gut-wrenching. But here’s the twist: Jacob isn’t completely off the hook here, friends.

Remember, Joseph wasn’t exactly innocent in this family drama either. His favoritism—the coat, the special treatment, the showing off of dreams—stirred up jealousy and resentment among his brothers. That environment of favoritism and strife? It set the stage for their anger, their extreme choices, and the chaos that followed. So while we can send Jacob some sympathy vibes, we also have to call it like it is: he played a major role in creating this toxic environment for his family. A little empathy, yes… but also a little accountability. Just sayin’ guys, just sayin. 

Now, hang with me guys. We’re almost done. Point number 6: Joseph in Egypt

Now that we’re all up to speed, we find ourselves with Joseph now in Egypt, right?

So, we learn after reading the remainder of chapter 37, that the traders sell him to Potiphar, a big-time Egyptian official. He’s in a totally foreign place, stripped of his coat, stripped of his familiar life—but here’s the kicker: he’s not stripped of his character, his integrity, or God’s presence in his life.

Even in a totally new, scary situation, God is still with him. Still moving and still working. Isn’t that just like our God? I mean, seriously.

Alright, squad, before we jump into Chapter 39, let’s hit pause and soak this in: Joseph’s life up to now? Total chaos. Pit? Check. Betrayal? Check. Sold for basically pocket change? Double check. But here’s the twist—God is still in the driver’s seat. Even stripped of his coat, tossed into a foreign land, and stuck in the middle of someone else’s mess, Joseph’s character, his integrity, and God’s presence are untouchable. That’s right—God is quietly setting up every next step for his bigger purpose (Genesis 50:20, anyone?).

So here’s your spoiler alert for Episode 4: God’s hand is never leaving Joseph. No matter how messy, unfair, or just plain awful things look on the outside, God is moving behind the scenes.

Hang tight, friends—this next chapter is going to show just how unstoppable God really is.

Okay, my royal crew — let’s get a little heart-to-heart with some reflection questions before we close out this episode in prayer!

1. Can you think of a time when someone—or even a group of people—tried to put a price tag on you? Maybe it was friends, peers, or even social media pressures. How did that make you feel, and did you let them define your value?

2. Are there areas in your life where you’ve handed over the power to others to decide what you’re worth—your choices, your dreams, or even your voice? What would it look like to take that power back and let God be the one who defines your value?

3. Even when things feel like they’re as messy, unfair, or “sold out” as they could possibly be, can you see how God might still be moving behind the scenes? How does it change the way you see your own struggles when you remember He’s in control?

   
   

Yeah, me too. I’ve been there—feeling like someone else got to decide my value or like life just handed me the short end of the stick. But here’s the thing, queens: Joseph went through the exact same chaos—and guess what? He didn’t just survive, he thrived. God was quietly working behind the scenes the whole time. Take a beat, let that sink in, and let’s bring that same trust into our takeaway. 

Okay let’s zoom out and get a wide-lens on today’s episode with 4 super tangible takeaways. 

1. God is working even when people aren’t

   • Your worth isn’t what others assign to you. Twenty shekels? That’s not your value. God sees you differently.

   
   

2. Pain doesn’t cancel your purpose: Joseph’s journey wasn’t over in the pit. Neither is yours, no matter how low you feel.

   
   

3. Trust the process: Life’s twists — even the scary, unfair ones — can set you up for your God-given calling

   
   

4. Guard Your Worth, Queens

   
   

 Listen, friends—your value isn’t a group project. When we let others decide what we’re worth, we’re basically handing them the remote to our lives—and spoiler alert: they don’t have the full script. Protect your heart, but stay soft. Stand firm in who God says you are, even when peers, friends, or situations try to slap a “price tag” on your name. Your worth isn’t up for auction—it’s divinely assigned, unshakable, and totally priceless.

Alright wild hearts, before we wrap up, let’s make sure you’re set up to stay in the loop! First, if you haven’t already, follow the show so you never miss an episode. And hey, if you want to catch all my real-time facial expressions this season (yes, the full dramatic effect 😏), subscribe to our YouTube channel.

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Alright, let’s pray. 🙏

God, thank You for seeing our worth, even when the world puts a price tag on us. Thank You for walking with us through the pits, the betrayals, and the moments of fear. Help us trust Your plan, even when we don’t understand it. Protect our hearts, keep our faith strong, and remind us that You are always working for our good. Let us hold onto our dreams, knowing You are bigger than every ‘twist’ life throws our way. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Phew — what a ride you guys…am I right?! 

Remember, friends, life can throw some wild twists, but every twist is part of a bigger story God’s writing. This week, pay attention to the nudges that push you to be brave, kind, or honest—they’re like little courage power-ups.

And remember, it’s 100% okay to ask God for guidance when things feel messy.

Next episode, we’re going to pick up the story and see what happens when dreams collide with reality — you won’t want to miss it. 

Keep your heart open, your courage loud, and watch God remix every challenge into an epic storyline!