Spiritual Lessons From Unemployment - Part 7: Joseph, Welfare & God's Provision

I've been reflecting on the possibility that God can use a secular government program to provide for His people.  For a long time during this season of under employment I just couldn't accept that this might possibly be right or be God's will or God's best for us. Certainly God would not provide for us through the government or through not working. I was supposed to provide. Right? And then my wife wondered out loud about the story of Joseph. Through all his tribulations and being put in jail, then he worked his way up the food chain in the Egyptian leadership chain, and essentially ran a government funded welfare program that ended up feeding God's people. Joseph foresaw the famine coming and stored up grain for the years the Egyptian people would be in need.  The Hebrew people -- Joseph's family -- eventually came to the Egyptians for help, and Joseph, one of their own, was there to be generous to them.  Everyone believed it was God's provision and plan. Even Joseph said, "You meant it for harm but God used it for good."  Everyone believe it was God's provision, but in truth, God's provision came from the hand of an evil empire that participated in human trafficking, slavery, degradation, idol worship, etc.  It was welfare. Though I am not comfortable with it, I have learned to receive welfare with thanksgiving to God. Hmmmm. Even as I type this I'm still not sure. What say you?