Was reading this morning about the building of the articles for the tabernacle and ran across this incredible statement about two men – Bezalel and Oholiab.  Both of these men were qualified to do the work – by themselves – but God inspired them to teach!

 Then Moses said to the people of Israel, “See, the Lord has called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah;  and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, with intelligence, with knowledge, and with all craftsmanship,  to devise artistic designs, to work in gold and silver and bronze,  in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, for work in every skilled craft.  And he has inspired him to teach, both him and Oholiab the son of Ahisamach of the tribe of Dan. He has filled them with skill to do every sort of work done by an engraver or by a designer or by an embroiderer in blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen, or by a weaver—by any sort of workman or skilled designer. – Exodus 35:30-35  ESV

Another thought I had from the same portion of reading is this – it is not God’s will for us to be untaught – He wants us not to remain small in our faith but to become coaches and mentors of others. The body of Christ continually needs leaders, coaches and mentors in order to disciple and send out labourers into the harvest and equip and instruct others for the work of service.

What does that look like – having a mature faith? One characteristic of God is generosity.  I was reading another post in Sixty-six books in a year, and the author brought up some key points on the same subject.

And said to Moses, “The people bring much more than enough for doing the work that the Lord has commanded us to do.”  So Moses gave command, and word was proclaimed throughout the camp, “Let no man or woman do anything more for the contribution for the sanctuary.” So the people were restrained from bringing,  for the material they had was sufficient to do all the work, and more. – Exodus 36:5-7  ESV

I love the way Moses brought the subject of giving up.  The people were not motivated by the perception of need, but by a grateful heart willing to participate in what God was doing. The most generous offerings are not motivated by guilt but by grace.

I have seen others present God as a poor, little God who needs our help and is depending on us to save the world. It creates a little sense of guilt and there may be a response, but trust me, that guilt will go away quickly or at least it will paralyze us from responding.

However, when we declare the graciousness of God, and His invitation to us to be part of His plan, that creates joyful, lifelong generosity. God does not need my money. God wants my heart.

There is a boldness to being mature in our faith. Remember Peter and John in the temple speaking to the crowds after the lame man was healed? The humble fisherman had been filled with the Spirit, our Strengthener, and the fear of people was dead in him. Pentecost transformed these timid followers of Christ into heroes. A dead Christ, lying in an unknown grave, could never have inspired His crushed followers with such courage, insight and elastic confidence and gladness in the face of a frowning world.

I am challenged once again today to be a follower of Christ and show the world what Jesus looks like and I will take some time to walk with others so that they may do the same.