Joseph, and the silver chalice 

Genesis 42 - 45 

Was Joseph playing games with his brothers to make them suffer? "Who knows the heart of a man...?" 

The New International Version states it in this way - "For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him?" I Corinthians 2.11

Some may use that verse in trying to understand the heart of Joseph as he applied the 'silver chalice' exercise to his brothers; I think Paul's musing is better applied to Joseph's attempt to find out what the heart, the motivation, of his brothers might be.

If I learned any particular spiritual lesson from my father that has served me pretty much daily it would be, "give people room to prove themselves..." That is true for both positive and negative lessons about people.

Jesus didn't have the handicap of the Apostle Paul, or you and I. We have to wait and watch for indications of character. Jesus already knew...

John 2:23. Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many people saw the miraculous signs he was doing and believed in his name. 
24. But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all men. 
25. He did not need man's testimony about man, for he knew what was in a man. (NIV)

I like it better coming from the Living Bible:

John 2:23. Because of the miracles he did in Jerusalem at the Passover celebration, many people were convinced that he was indeed the Messiah. 
24. But Jesus didn't trust them, for he knew mankind to the core. No one needed to tell him how changeable human nature is! (Living Bible)

The underlining emphasis is mine, just to point out that if Jesus didn't trust everyone - we are fools to trust everyone. Some folks have a near idiotic philosophy that Christians are to be trusting. That sure doesn't fit with Jesus' instruction - Matthew 10:16. "Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. 17. But beware of men..." (KJV)

So, back to Joseph. Should we not trust our own brothers? Sometimes. In fact, there are times one should not even trust one's self! Do you really know what your heart is capable of doing? The closer you draw to the Presence of the Holy in your life, the less you will trust yourself to automatically do the right thing and the more you will place your reliance upon Him.

The beloved disciple John said, "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God..." I John 4:1

Don't 'swallow' everything you hear; don't 'follow' everyone who has a following. Don't bank on even half of what everyone is saying. Learn to listen and watch; test the depth of integrity in every situation and every person.

You don't need to disprove folks, nor do you need to endorse them. Just listen and watch.

While, in the words of the old circus barker, there may be "a fool born every minute..." don't let that fool be you.