Today you should read: Exodus 36
You notice how the people who had the best skill and intelligence in construction were commanded by God to work by building the sanctuary (v. 1). This shouldn’t come as a surprise with such an important task before them. With the specific commands that God has given, we should expect the best “contractors” involved in the building of the sanctuary. However it wasn’t just the expertise of these people that God was looking for. Moses also called those whose heart was stirred to do the work of the Lord (v. 2).
I love this. Often we feel like we’re not qualified to do what God wants us to do. We feel like we don’t have the skills that other Christians have or the experience that another can bring to God’s work. You see, God is not just looking for professionals to do his work but someone who has a heart for what He is calling them to. When God stirs your heart for a certain need or ministry area, He does it for a purpose.
But what about the people who didn’t have the construction skills & heart for building the sanctuary? Those people sacrificed and served the mission as well. They may have not had the skill to perform such a duty but they were able to provide the materials for the sanctuary. Not only did they give toward the building of the sanctuary but went above and beyond their giving. To the point where God’s construction crew had to tell them to stop. Can you imagine that? God’s people being so generous that you need to tell them to stop. “We have more than enough money to send our junior/senior students to Puerto Rico or Haiti. You can stop giving now.”
What an amazing response to the work God was calling His people to do. Some built, some gave, all participated. Let this be a reminder for us as a church to continue to be obedient to the mission God has given us. Whether it’s our church’s calling to take everyone we meet one step closer to becoming a true disciple of Jesus Christ through evangelism & discipleship or a calling in a specific ministry area or need. God uses us to fulfill His mission and we each have a part. We just need to be obedient and have a heart for what He is calling us to do.
- Are you obedient to the call God has placed on our church? (Taking every person we meet one step closer to becoming a true disciple of Jesus Christ) What part do you play in evangelism & discipleship in our mission?
- Do you have a heart for this type of work? It’s easy to lose heart over time, whether through sin, disappointment, busyness, etc. If so, how can you help stir your affection toward the mission once again?
By: Erik Koliser
JumpstartCPC.com 
I was encouraged in this passage to see that the most skilled craftsmen were also honest and men of integrity. I’m sure they could have found a “use” for the extra materials (whether personal gain or going beyond the God given plans and adding to his specifications) but they were men who revered God and His instructions. Great examples that God has given us in scripture.
There was also no quarreling over details of the building plan, or disclaimers around their gifts. People just gave in abundance and went with the plan. That’s refreshing!