In what ways can we seek skilled help for God's work today? Solomon’s Example of Valuing Expertise “ ‘So give orders that cedars be cut for me from Lebanon. My servants will be with your servants, and I will pay you wages for your servants according to whatever you say, for you know that not a man among us knows how to cut timber like the Sidonians.’ ” (1 Kings 5:6) Timeless Principles We Learn • Humble recognition of God-given skill in others • Pursuit of excellence for God’s glory, not personal status • Willing collaboration across cultural and geographic lines • Fair, generous compensation for work rendered (cf. 1 Timothy 5:18) • Wise stewardship—matching the right task with the right craftsman Scripture Echoes of the Same Pattern • Exodus 31:1-6 — Bezalel and Oholiab, “filled…with skill, ability, and knowledge in all kinds of craftsmanship.” • Proverbs 22:29 — “Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will stand before kings.” • Romans 12:4-8; 1 Corinthians 12 — one body, many gifts, all necessary. • Colossians 3:23 — “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord.” • Ephesians 4:11-12 — leaders “equip the saints for the work of ministry.” Practical Ways to Seek Skilled Help Today • Identify professionals within your congregation—architects, accountants, musicians, counselors—and invite them to serve where their training aligns with ministry needs. • Network with faithful specialists in the wider Christian community when local resources are lacking (e.g., legal counsel, media production, sign-language interpretation). • Partner with mission agencies and relief organizations that already possess field-tested expertise. • Offer internships and apprenticeships, allowing emerging believers to learn under seasoned craftsmen, much like Solomon’s men labored alongside Sidonians. • Leverage online platforms and forums to locate believers gifted in technology, graphic design, language translation, or curriculum development. • Budget intentionally for professional wages and quality materials; excellence often requires financial investment. • Host skill-sharpening workshops—sound-board training, child-safety certification, disaster-relief preparation—so volunteers grow competent and confident. • Encourage bi-vocational ministry: believers who carry their weekday expertise (e.g., teaching, engineering, healthcare) directly into church outreach. • Pray for discernment to match each task with the right servant, trusting the Spirit’s distribution of gifts (1 Corinthians 12:11). Living It Out • List current ministry projects and pinpoint areas where specialized help could elevate effectiveness. • Approach qualified individuals with honor—“We see God’s gifting in you; will you help us glorify Him through this work?” • Provide clear expectations, resources, and reasonable timelines, reflecting Solomon’s organized request to Hiram. • Celebrate and publicly acknowledge skilled service, cultivating a culture that prizes workmanship done “in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Colossians 3:17). By imitating Solomon’s humble, strategic pursuit of skilled labor, today’s church reflects a God who delights in both the spiritual and the practical, using every talent He has sovereignly placed within His people for the building up of His house. |
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