How can we apply the concept of "skillful men" to our church community today? Setting the Scene “Let every skilled craftsman among you come and make everything that the LORD has commanded.” (Exodus 35:10) Israel’s tabernacle needed more than willing hearts; it required men and women gifted by God with precision, creativity, and know-how. That same divine pattern invites today’s church to marshal every member’s God-given abilities for kingdom usefulness. Understanding “Skillful Men” • Divine equipping: “I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, understanding, and ability in all kinds of craftsmanship.” (Exodus 31:3) • Purpose-driven work: skills were directed toward God’s dwelling and glory, not personal fame. • Cooperative effort: Bezalel, Oholiab, and “all the skilled men” (Exodus 36:1) worked side-by-side; no lone rangers. • Spirit and skill together: practical excellence is never set against spirituality—God births both. Discovering Our Modern “Skill Sets” • Professional expertise—accounting, project management, legal counsel, IT support. • Creative arts—music, graphic design, video, writing, drama. • Practical trades—carpentry, electrical, plumbing, landscaping. • Relational abilities—counseling, hospitality, teaching children, mentoring youth. • Administrative gifts—organizing events, data entry, scheduling, communication. Romans 12:6 affirms, “We have different gifts according to the grace given us.” Practical Steps for the Church • Inventory gifts: invite members to list training, hobbies, certifications, and passions. • Publicize needs: publish ministry projects that require specific abilities (e.g., remodeling, website overhaul, outreach graphics). • Pair mentors with learners: seasoned “skillful men” coach younger believers, echoing 2 Timothy 2:2. • Commission workers: lay hands on teams before launching projects, honoring their labor as sacred (Acts 13:2-3). • Celebrate completion: share testimonies and visuals of finished work, giving glory to God and gratitude to the craftsmen (Nehemiah 6:15-16). • Keep sharpening: offer workshops or sponsor further training so skills stay current and excellent (Proverbs 22:29). Encouragement from Other Passages • 1 Corinthians 12:18—“God has arranged the members of the body, each one of them, as He desired.” • Colossians 3:23—“Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, for the Lord and not for men.” • 2 Chronicles 2:7—Solomon sought “a skilled craftsman” for temple adornment; excellence matters to God. • Ephesians 4:16—When every part does its work, the body “builds itself up in love.” A Picture of a Skill-Filled Church Imagine greeters welcoming guests through doors installed by a carpenter-deacon; worship slides designed by a teenager mentored in graphic arts; a newly wired children’s wing keeping little ones safe; benevolence funds stewarded by a retired accountant; a live-stream run by college tech volunteers. Each contribution, though different, converges in one harmonious offering to the Lord. God still calls “skillful men”—and women—so His dwelling among His people shines with beauty, order, and joy. |
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