Theme: Stewardship Topic: God Equips Us for Stewardship
Main Text: Exodus 31:1-6, 36:1
Key verse: Exodus 35:10: “All who are gifted artisans among you shall come and make all that the Lord has commanded.”
Introduction:
Ephesians 2:10 tells us that believers are created in Christ for good works that God prepared for us to walk in beforehand while from Ephesians 4:12 we learn that God has provided a five-fold ministry (apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers) to equip believers to do the work of the ministry. Every Christian has work to do in the kingdom of God some of which might be within the church but the vast majority outside. God prepared the work ahead of time and quipped each one to do the work to which they were called. He also provided the means to improve his or her skill in (see 1Ti 4:13 and 2Ti 2:15) and, most of all, each Christian has the Holy Spirit who empowers, enables and guides. In our main text we see Bezalel and Aholiab called by name, equipped for a specific task and filled with the Holy Spirit to enable them to do the work. Later, we see that God provided all the resources required and far more besides (Exodus 36:5-6). God has not changed in how He deals with His people – He knows and calls each of us by name. He calls us to work for His glory and the good of all; He gives us the ability to do the work and empowers us by His Spirit to endure the challenges we meet; and as we walk in trust and obedience, He provides everything we need, just when it is needed.
Q1. (1a)What is the significance of God calling Bezalel (v2) and Aholiab (v6) by name? Have you ever doubted whether God knows you by name? (1b) What can we learn from the fact that God called craftsmen and filled them with His Spirit to do work that most would not consider “spiritual”? (1c) Read Ephesians 2:10. Are there any gifts that you have that you don’t know how to use for God’s glory?
Paragraph 2:
The building of the tabernacle and the making of the priestly garments (Ex 28) reminds us that we serve a God of precision and excellence. He is interested in every detail as well as the big picture and He demands that what we do for Him be done “according to all that I have commanded”. Sometimes, we are so caught up in the wonder of God’s amazing grace and mercy that we might forget that our God is Holy and a consuming fire. Whatever we do for God must be done with all our might and our heart. As a Christian, our work is worship. Nothing is mundane that is done for God. Just as God called Bezalel and Aholiab, He calls believers today to serve Him in specific roles — in ministry, business, art, education, or leadership. Every vocation can be sacred when done in obedience to God’s calling. All our work, whether serving in Sunday school, preaching form the platform, working in a supermarket, preparing accounts, or sweeping the streets, if it is work done for God, it is worship. The Holy Spirit empowers creativity, innovation, and excellence in our daily work. Distinguish yourself in whatever field or circumstance God has placed you by doing your work “as unto the Lord”.
Q2. Read Ex 28:4-11; Ex 30:22-24, 34-36, Psa 139:13-17(2a) What is the significance of the detailed craftsmanship? (2b)How does it feel to know that God created and knows you in such intricate detail? (2c) Knowing that our God values precision and excellence, how should we approach our work?
Paragraph 3:
God equips to be His stewards, and He expects us to manifest His character not only in the excellence of our output but in the spirit and attitude we bring to our work. The idea of reserving our best for “the Lord’s work” and paying less attention to “lesser” work is not supported by Scripture. Ecclesiastes 9:10 tells us to do whatever we do “with all our might”. Colossians 3:22-24 enjoins us to do whatever we do “heartily, as to the Lord” …for you serve Christ”. Whatever God has called us to, He has equipped us for the next step He wants us to take. We can therefore “go” with confidence and give it our all because He who calls us is faithful, all authority has been given to Him and He is with us.
Q3. (3a) What are the most important roles in as church and why? (3b) Read Ps 100:2 and Deut 28:47-51 why is it important to serve God with “gladness in our heart” (3c) Are you equipped and ready to do what God has called you to?
Prayer: Holy Father, thank you that you have called, prepared and equipped me to be your faithful steward. Help me to use all the ability and all the opportunities you provide to witness to your truth and excellence. Amen