Exodus chapter 36.
The people of Israel were so committed to offering sacrifices for the building of the tent of meeting that Moses had to tell them to stop giving. Then we see how committed the workers were to completing the task the Lord had commanded. I wonder how many times I was so committed to a certain task that I was guilty of giving too much? Too much money? Too much time? Too many prayers?
I also want to be guilty of being so committed that I commit to the Lord's work regardless of the cost. Regardless of the pain or challenge, or how far it takes me outside my comfort zone. I want to hear the Lord, one day, say “Well done my good and faithful servant!”
Oh, me too, Pastor Blair!! Bezaleel and Aholiab were given the ability to do the work but they also came. If we want our lives to have impact, we need both ability and availability. These 2 men are models – recorded for all time in the Bible – as men who used the practical gifts God gave them for His glory. Maybe you can’t preach or sing (that’s definitely me) or evangelize but maybe you can fix an engine or pour cement or raise cattle or crops. If we make ourselves available, we can use the gifts He gave us for His glory too. I too want to hear “Well done my good and faithful servant!” I can’t imagine a greater reward!
I thought today about the saying that you can’t outgive God. God pours out His blessings in so many ways! What a great situation that the Israelites were in when there was more than enough being given to complete the task and the people were actually restrained from giving more! May we have that same kind of generous spirit to keep on giving until needs are met.
Sorry about being a day late on these! I promise to do better!!
I had a wonderful moment yesterday of seeing how the unique gifts God gives to us builds His Kingdom and seeing how He works through everyone and their abilities. I was at a rock shop, yes a rock shop, picking out special stones to give to my students as an end of the year gift. I shared with the store clerks I was a teacher and looking for the perfect gems for each of my kiddos.
After I had picked out all the ones I wanted, I asked how those ladies got into selling rocks, how does one decide they want to collect and sell rocks. She shared it was her husband’s hobby and passion and when they retired and realized their own children did not want to inherit the rocks one day, they decided what better way than to sell, share, buy rock collections to those who love rocks!
As we finished up talking I pulled out my wallet to pay for the rocks I had picked out and the woman said she saw my heart as a teacher, as she was a teacher before she retired, and she felt we had a connection and that she wanted to give me all 42 of the rocks I had chosen along with individual cloth baggies for each rock.
WOW. I was blown away. I never expected that, but it filled my heart with love and gratitude and the desire to use my gifts to bring that same joy to others!