READING: 1 Kings 6-7, Luke 20:27-47
“He came to King Solomon and did all the work assigned to him.”
1 Kings 7:14
So many people come to mind for me today. Christie was an accountant. Sonney was a welder. John was a painter. Linda was an administrative assistant. Karina was a pianist. Al was a machinist and mechanic. Bo owned an upholstery shop. Dewey was a realtor and construction manager. Paul was an engineer. Fannie was a florist. Donna was a teacher.
Actually, I could probably for the next hour list names – names of laypersons in churches I pastored – laypersons who used their training, skills, and experience in serving the church. Some were Christian business owners who did all they did for God’s glory. Each had unique skills that others did not have, and all excelled in their service like most of us would not have. Simply put, they used their skills for Him.
In Solomon’s day, Hiram may have been that kind of man. We cannot know for certain that he was a follower of God, but we do know that he was the son of an Israelite woman. We also know that he was “full of wisdom, understanding, and skill for making any work in bronze,” including many of the Temple furnishings (1 Kgs 7:14). From another Bible writer, we learn that he was “trained to work in gold and silver, bronze and iron, stone and wood, and with purple and blue and crimson yarn and fine linen. He [was] experienced in all kinds of engraving and [could] execute any design given to him” (2 Chron. 2:14). He was quite gifted, and based on these descriptions, he was like Bezalel, another layperson who was instrumental in building the Tabernacle (Exo. 31:1-11).
We are wise to look around our churches and see the gifts of the men and women God has sent to us. Sitting in our pews are often laypersons who are incredibly gifted and uniquely qualified to help us do the work of God. Many of them are simply waiting to be asked.
ACTION STEPS:
- Thank God for laypeople in your church who serve Him by using their skills.
- Think about ways that you might use your life experience and training to serve God better.
PRAYER: “God, I want to serve You by using my gifts and skills. Help me discover the best way to do that.”
TOMORROW’S READING: 1 Kings 8-9, Luke 21:1-19