Thus, he first gathered all the monetary resources available, followed by the other assets, ultimately granting the land rights to the king with the aim of not depriving anyone of ownership, but rather fortifying the community. He introduced a tax system, enabling people to maintain their property peacefully. Those from whom he acquired the land approved of his actions, viewing it not as a loss of their rights but rather as a means of securing their lives. They expressed gratitude, saying, ‘You have saved our lives; we have found favor in the sight of our lord’ (Gen. 47:25). They did not lose their property by regaining the rights to it, nor did they sacrifice anything of value; instead, they gained assurance for the future. This great man sought no fleeting accolades through excessive generosity; rather, he established a lasting benefit through prudence by ensuring that the people could support themselves through their taxes and rely less on outside assistance during times of famine. Sharing a portion of one’s harvest is preferable to losing everything outright. Joseph commanded that one-fifth of the harvest be collected, demonstrating both foresight and compassion in his tax policy. Following these measures, Egypt never again faced such a severe famine.
THEOSIS