God-Given Skills and Talents

I have filled Bezalel with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge, and with all kinds of skills to make artistic designs. Exodus 31 verses 3 through 4.

Welcome to today's encouragement from Our Daily Bread. Our reading titled God-given Skills and Talents was written by Lisa M. Samra and read by Tony Collier. Exodus 31 verses 1 through 11. Then the Lord said to Moses, See, I have chosen Bezalel, son of Uri, the son of her of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge, and with all kinds of skills to make artistic designs, for work in gold, silver, and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts. Moreover, I have appointed Aholiab, son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan, to help him. Also, I have given ability to all the skilled workers to make everything I have commanded you—the tent of meeting, the ark of the covenant law with the atonement cover on it, and all the other furnishings of the tent, the table and its articles, the pure gold lampstand and all its accessories, the altar of incense, the altar of burnt offering, and all its utensils, the basin with its stand, and also the woven garments, both the sacred garments for Aaron the priest and the garments for his sons when they serve as priests, and the anointing oil and the fragrant incense are the holy place.

They are to make them just as I commanded you. God-given Skills and Talents, written by Lisa M. Samra. Some of the most famous pianists in the world, including Van Cliburn and Vladimir Horowitz, relied on Frantz Mohr, chief concert technician at Steinway & Sons in New York, to ensure that their concert pianos were ready for performances. A master piano tuner, Mohr was sought after for his intricate knowledge of pianos and great skill developed over decades. Mohr believed his skills were an avenue to serve God, and he regularly shared his faith with pianists and performance staff. When the nation of Israel was preparing to build the tent of meeting and other items necessary for worship in Exodus 31, they needed individuals with expert skills. God appointed two skilled artisans, Bezalel and Aholiab, to do the work, and filled them with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge, and with all kinds of skills to make artistic designs. In addition to their specialized skills, God empowered them with His Spirit to guide their work.

Their willingness to use their unique talents in service to God allowed the Israelites to appropriately worship Him. Whether or not we consider ourselves artistic, each of us has unique, God-given gifts that we can use to serve others. Empowered by the Spirit, we can serve and worship God through our work, using the wisdom, understanding, and skills He's given us.

Let's pray. Heavenly Father, thank You for the unique gifts and skills You've given each of us, and for the Spirit's guidance to use them for Your glory. Help us to serve others with wisdom and joy, offering our work as an act of worship to You. Thank You, Lord. It's in Jesus' name we pray. Amen. As you go about your day, reflect on these questions. What are some of the talents God has given you? How might you use them to serve Him?