Joseph was his father's favorite child and because of that, his brother's hated him. One day they ganged up on him and threw him into a pit. Midianite merchants came and found Joseph and lifted him out of the pit. They sold him for twenty pieces of silver to Ishmeelites who took Joseph into Egypt. Potiphar, who was an officer of Pharaoh's and captain of Pharaoh's guard bought Joseph as a slave. Thus, Potiphar became Joseph's master or owner. Because Potiphar was captain of Pharaoh's guard, it stands to reason that he was prosperous and well paid and thus, able to afford to buy a slave. The King James version of the Bible says Potiphar "saw that the Lord was with him [Joseph] and that he made all that he did to prosper in his hand" (Gen. 39:3). In other words, Potiphar is a perceptive individual. He sees that Joseph does everything well and has good judgment.
             Joseph, meanwhile, appears determined to make something good come from his situtation. He works hard and takes good care of Potiphar's home and business. Because of his honest efforts, Potiphar gives him more and more control over his affairs. "He made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand" (Gen. 39:3). Potiphar trusts Joseph to do a good job and look after his interests. Joseph is such a gifted manager that Potiphar benefits more and more from Joseph's presence. As the Bible puts it, "...from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the Lord blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; and the blessing of the Lord was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field" (Gen. 39:5). Thus, Potiphar must have felt very fortunate to have someone supervising his household so well. He didn't have to worry about anything because Joseph was taking care of everything. According to the story, he "left all that he had in Joseph's hand." In other words, he turned all his responsibilities over to Joseph....