There is an expression, often referred to as karma, that states: "What comes around, goes around." It simply means that we receive equal recompense for those things done, whether good or bad. Joseph's brothers believed in karma. When they were being falsely dealt with, their consciences were pricked, and they believed they were getting their comeuppance for their false treatment toward their brother, Joseph. Of course, we know the rest of the story. Joseph will extend grace toward them, thus nullifying their guilt and proving karma to be an unreliable doctrine.
We often think that we are being punished when something bad happens in our lives. But, God doesn't work that way. Instead, He chooses to extend His hand of mercy, offering grace in place of retribution. Now, this isn't to say that we don't suffer the consequences brought about through our sin. The baby is still born when we choose to fornicate (that's a word we don't often hear these days!). We will continue to suffer the legal requirements of our civil law when we break that law. Adultery will still often end in a broken marriage. In short, although we can be forgiven and not suffer retribution, there are still going to be existential consequences attached to our wrong doing. Joseph's brothers did not suffer retribution, but they would never regain the lost years, and neither can we. Sin always causes loss!
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