In the book of Acts, Stephen refers to the text before us, saying that Joseph’s brothers were moved with envy against him (Acts 7:9). Of what were they envious? Joseph’s coat. Although your King James Bible describes this coat as being “of many colours,” a better rendering is that it was a coat of “many pieces,” or literally, a coat of “big sleeves.”

You see, in Joseph’s day most coats were actually vests because most men were workingmen and sleeves would only hinder their movement. However, those who held the position of boss or foreman would be given garments with sleeves. A coat with sleeves was not only a symbol of authority, but it was also a matter of practicality. In those days, before briefcases and hand-held computers, documents, writing instruments, and supplies would be kept in the sleeves secured by drawstrings at the wrists. Consequently, a man on the job site with sleeves was equivalent to a man carrying a briefcase and talking on a cell phone. In other words, the man with sleeves was clearly the boss.

And that’s the issue in the story before us. Joseph’s ten older brothers said, “Hey, what’s the big idea? Why did Dad give the coat with big sleeves to little Joey? Why should he be the boss, the big cheese, the big shot? It’s not right. It’s not fair. It’s not acceptable!” And so envious were they that they threw Joseph in a pit and sold him as a slave.

“Why can’t I be the manager at McDonald’s?” we say. “Why do I have to work the drive-thru year after year?”

“Why can’t I be the boss at the company? I’ve been there longer than he has.”

“How come I didn’t get the contract? My bid was lower; my work is better. I don’t understand.”

In other words, we are prone to say, “I should have the big sleeves.”

Whether it’s on the job, at school, or in church, there will always be opportunity for you and me to say, “How come I’m not noticed or acknowledged, elevated or rewarded?” Yet I believe the real question is: Are you sure you want to be?

We think we know what we want. But the fact is, the coat of big sleeves caused Joseph big headaches. Therefore, it is the wise person who says, “Lord, I think I want that. I think I deserve that. I think I should be that. But, Lord, I understand that inherent in that position there may be headaches, problems, and pressures of which I am completely unaware. So have Your way, and I know it will be best.”