When God provided the Ten Commandments and the instructions for the tabernacle’s construction, he also had a plan for workers. One man in particular was chosen to minister in the building of the first “church.” God 
used an ordinary man to build an important work.
“And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 2 See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah: 3 And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, 4 To devise cunning works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, 5 And in cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of timber, to work in all manner of workmanship. 6 And I, behold, I have given with him Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan: and in the hearts of all that are wise hearted I have put wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded thee;” Exodus 31:1-6
Like building the tabernacle, there are jobs to be done that God needs us to accomplish. He wants us to minister to others.
God wants to use ordinary men and women to met the needs of others, and to do His will and way. We are like tools in God’s tool chest. Each has a different purpose.
Bezaleel was a tool that God used as He does with pastors, Sunday school teachers, choir members, and soul winners. Each is different and has a different ability and gift.
The seven gifts for this church age are found in Romans 12:6-8: “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; 7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.”
Every saved person has at least one of the gifts found in Romans 12. Perhaps you have not yet found what your gift from God is. While you are praying, waiting, and searching the Scriptures for God to show you, all can minister to the needs of others. Not all may have God’s gift of ministering, but all can “minister”. There are many things that need to be done and we can be used to accomplish them.
After I was first saved, my preacher preached the previous verses about gifts in Romans. I asked the Lord to show me what he had for me to do. I told him I would do the first thing He showed me.
God did show me. That Sunday from the pulpit, the pastor announced a need of an older, disabled man to have his yard cleaned up. No, it was not glamorous, nor was it easy, but it was doing what my hand could do to serve God. He usually does not use a person for the big jobs that will not do the little ones.
“Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.” Ecclesiastes 9: 10
“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do , do all to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:30
One can take what skills, interests, and abilities one has to help others and bring people to learn about the Lord. The ministry is not to bring glory to oneself, it is a tool to allow others, that may not normally listen to the message God has for them, to hear it or see it in action. It is not a way to earn salvation because that is not possible. It is a method to get others to have their needs met or to hear or see God’s message.
I’ve seen others with a puppet ministry, grass mowing ministry (aman mowed people’s grass for free, if they would let him witness to them ), a sharp-shooting ministry (a man put on a shooting demonstration, and later preached the Gospel to the crowd), a strong man ministry (people would come to see his feats of strength, then he would preach to them), a karate ministry, a Gospel magic ministry, etc. Those people used their ability and interests to present the Gospel and be a witness for the Lord. Use what you can do for the glory of God then God may trust you with another ministry.
Some other ministry ideas are:
- visit the sick,
- write letters,
- encourage someone,
- “adopt” a friend (make a friend of someone you think needs one),
- mentor a younger Christian,
- help the elderly,
- read to others,
- help your parents,
- do something another can’t do,
- bring a friend to Sunday School,
- witness,
- sing,
- give of yourself, (tithe your time), and
- visit someone.
Pray and ask the Lord for a ministry. It’s all about being obedient to what the Lord puts on your heart and to meet the needs of others.
Look for the first opportunity to do something for the Lord. After you have prayed, ask your pastor, parent, Sunday school teacher, or bus captain — “What can I do to serve the Lord?”
We are not to sit and soak, but to be saved and serve!
Still a great devotion! Thanks Bro Brinkworth.
There is no such thing as unemployed Christians in the kingdom of God!
Awesome devotion!
You’re right. There is always “employment” for the Lord, but we do have a lot of lazy, stay-home Christians that haven’t shown up for work!
Mark 2:17 | View whole chapter | See verse in context When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
This tells me we are to minister to the unsaved and like David says not in church as the unsaved don’t go to church they are all around us .
Absolutely…… anyway or anyhow; reach the lost for eternity! We also need to edify and encourage the saints, that is why it is so important to attend and support a local ministry.
What a great devotion for a craftsman. I have been a skilled craftsman most of my adult life, for many years now. I have learned to recognize the gift for mechanical things in people. God creates great craftsmen, we can only train someone up to “good” or so, some folks have zero mechanical ability, which is ok, because I have zero singing ability, even though I love to sing. I have seen men so mechanically gifted that they needed only minimal instruction and can take the least bit of experience and information and apply it to new situations and make it seem like they have been doing that work all their life. If you can find that person that is a gifted craftsman that also has a gift for dealing with people (great people person) that is just dynamite! One is a thousand, if that common.
The scripture also tells me that God created these people like this on purpose… see the verses that were included…Exodus 31:3…And I (God) have filled him with the spirit of wisdom, et cetera…., telling me that people like us were created for the work we do.
I try my best to use the gift that God has given me to live a life that points to my Savior. I try to deal with people in a way that brings credit to Him. He opens doors for me and daily gives me opportunities to witness to people and minister to people through my work and my craft. Just yesterday I had a very personal conversation with a plant manager that works too much and was very discouraged. I talked about how his grandchildren will only grow up once, he will not always have his health, etc.. I was able to tell him that although I dont mind hard work and long hours, if my work has to be my god, I have no interest in it. I talked to him throughout the afternoon and I think I was able to point him to help.
Do you all agree that most ministry is outside the Church walls? While Church is where I gather with other believers to learn and worship, I find that most of my spiritual life is lived out with my family and my co workers. If that isnt an opportunity for ministry..what is?
I believe, after salvation and obedience to what God shows the beleiver to do, serving Him in a ministry is a most important step. So many are saved, but do NOTHING for God. Works do not save, but after being saved we MUST serve Him and fight the battles we are placed in.