TALENTED AND SKILLED HANDS (7)

“…To know how to do all manner of work for the SERVICE of the sanctuary, shall do according to all that the Lord has commanded” – Exodus 36:1

Willing, obedient, and generous Service is the Hallmark of TALENTED and SKILLED HANDS: “And Bezalel and Aholiab, and every gifted artisan in whom the Lord has put wisdom and understanding, to know how to do all manner of work for the SERVICE of the sanctuary, shall do according to all that the Lord has commanded” (Exo.36:1). These texts speak of faithful, gifted stewards “in whose heart the Lord had put wisdom, everyone whose heart was stirred, to come and do the work” (v.2). They were ‘DOERS’ not mere onlookers or spectators! Rather than despise their God-given ability, they were willing and available for His work. Availability could be more important than ability!

There are many talented people with ability but that’s not always enough. The truly skilflul ones are those who have honed their talent over time. They’re the ones who have spent hours learning, studying and training. The successful ones are those who are willing to do the work to become accomplished in their chosen sphere. When Moses sought for workers, he desired two qualities: God-given skill and willingness to do the work. Sometimes we think that if our ability is God-given, we don’t need to practise. This is not so. Even if our gift is spiritual, such as evangelism, intercession, or healing, we can always learn from our spiritual elders and mentors by accompanying them to minister, reading books and listening to the more mature in faith. God always has more to teach us if we’re open to growing in our gifting.

Unfortunately, there are those who aren’t willing to do the work. They are invited to take part in an event but they come without having engaged in the necessary preparation and expect God to make up for their lack. They might remember occasions when God used them or others when they were inexperienced or young in the faith. But this isn’t an excuse to remain immature. Likewise, they may have seen God work through situations in a spontaneous fashion but again this isn’t a reason for neglecting to prepare. If we want God to enhance our skills on an ongoing basis, we must be willing to do the work, like Bezalel, Oholiab, and the other creative, talented, and skilled folks.

With the standard of faithfulness in service set by the divinely-equipped leaders of the tabernacle construction project – Bezalel and company, as well as an overwhelming vision of the goodness and Glory of God, the people of Israel literally gave too much and had to be told to stop: “And the people were restrained from bringing, for the material they had was sufficient for all the work to be done – indeed too much” (vv.6b-7). Someone described them as being “pathologically generous”: When we know that all good things that we have are truly gifts from God, we’ll readily demonstrate unrestrained generosity. The repeated emphasis on God’s enabling power and divine gifts (vv.1-2), creates the framework in which and the background against which Israel’s generosity is to be understood.

Not only tangible external possessions are gifts from God. So also, are our abilities, intelligence, talents, and skills – everything we have! Life is a Gift! Any success we have, any victories we have, and any skills we have are purely gifts from God. It’s only when all we have is seen as a gift from God that we are truly able to share generously. God was not only with Israel, He was blessing them in every single way, above and beyond what they deserved. They were stunned by the staggering kindness, mercy and generosity of God! They were overwhelmed by His grace and His provisions! Thus, they gave. Bezalel and Oholiab and the whole crew of workmen are representative of us all. What good we experience and what good fruits we see coming from our labours are gifts along with our abilities to labour fruitfully.