Built for This

Most of us have a mental category for what it means to “serve God.” We think of things like teaching a Bible class, leading a ministry, going on a mission trip, volunteering at church, or helping someone in a visible way. And all of those are beautiful expressions of faithfulness.

But I wonder if we sometimes unintentionally shrink the picture. Somewhere along the way, it becomes easy to believe that only certain kinds of gifts really count as spiritual. As if only certain kinds of work really matter in the kingdom. And if our skills don’t fit neatly into those categories, we quietly assume they’re secondary. Ordinary. Less important.

What about the gifts that seem practical more than spiritual? The talents that happen in an office, a workshop, a kitchen, or a living room? The abilities that don’t happen behind the pulpit or in a classroom?

Scripture gives us a story that widens the lens in a really encouraging way. It’s the story of two men most of us rarely talk about: Bezalel and Oholiab.

And their calling reminds us that God’s kingdom is built with more than sermons and Bible studies. Sometimes it’s built with skillful hands.

God Fills People with Skill

In Exodus, God is preparing His people to build the tabernacle, the place where His presence would dwell among them. This was holy work. Sacred work. The kind of project you might assume would be led by priests or prophets.

But instead, God called craftsmen.

He names Bezalel and says something striking: that He has filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability, intelligence, knowledge, and craftsmanship.

"The LORD said to Moses, “See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship, to devise artistic designs, to work in gold, silver, and bronze, in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, to work in every craft." Exodus 31:1–5 (ESV)

That should stop us for a moment.

Bezalel wasn’t chosen because he could preach. He wasn’t chosen because he had a platform and status. He was chosen because he could build, design, create, and work with excellence.

And Scripture is clear that this skill was not random. It was God-given, Spirit-empowered, and deeply purposeful.

God cares about craftsmanship. God cares about creativity. God cares about skill. These too are spiritual gifts.

The Kingdom Needs More Than One Kind of Gift

Oholiab is mentioned alongside Bezalel, not only as a helper but as someone who could teach others as they worked.

"And behold, I have appointed with him Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. And I have given to all able men ability, that they may make all that I have commanded you." Exodus 31:6 (ESV)

Together, they were responsible for building something that would shape the worship life of an entire nation. It’s such a reminder that the kingdom of God is not built by one kind of spiritual gift.

Some serve publicly. Some serve quietly. Some teach. Some build. Some organize. Some create. Some encourage. Some repair. Some listen. Some show up faithfully behind the scenes week after week.

Paul reminds us that this diversity is not accidental:

"Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone." 1 Corinthians 12:4–6 (ESV)

Different gifts. Same Spirit. Different roles. Same Lord. The body of Christ needs more than one kind of gift to function.

No Skill Is Too Small for God to Use

One of the lies we can start to believe is that our abilities only matter if they feel impressive.

But God doesn’t measure usefulness the way we do (recall how Samuel looked at David).

The tabernacle required embroidery, woodworking, metalwork, design, artistry, and careful attention to detail. Even the parts no one would immediately notice still mattered because they were part of something sacred.

That means the skills God has given us (whether it’s fixing things, designing things, managing projects, cooking meals, mentoring others, writing, listening, caring for children, working with numbers, building systems) are not “less spiritual".

They are opportunities.

Peter puts it beautifully when he says:

"As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace." 1 Peter 4:10 (ESV)

Our gifts are things we should steward. They are not trophies and not personal achievements. They are meant to be offered to God.

Serving God in Ordinary Places

Most of us won’t build a tabernacle (save maybe some of us for VBS props). But we are building things every day.

We’re building families. We’re building workplaces. We’re building friendships. We’re building habits and routines. We’re building communities, often through small and unseen acts of faithfulness.

And the question isn’t whether our lives involve sacred work. The question is whether we recognize that God is present in the work.

Paul reminds us that even the ordinary can become an offering of service to God:

"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ." Colossians 3:23–24 (ESV)

Whatever we do.

Not just church work. Not just ministry moments. Whatever we do can be an offering when it’s done with a heart turned toward Christ.

That means our Monday work matters. Our unseen service matters. Our small acts of excellence matter.

God Loves to Use Willing Hands

Bezalel and Oholiab didn’t just have skill. They had willingness.

They offered what God had given them. And through that offering, God’s presence was made known among His people.

That’s still how it works.

God uses surrendered gifts. Not perfect people. Not flashy people. Just willing people.

Sometimes the most significant acts of service are the ones no one applauds or even sees: a quiet act of excellence, a faithful use of talent, a skill offered in love.

God sees it. And God delights to use it.

So let me ask you…

As I ask myself the same questions:

• What skills or abilities has God placed in my life that I sometimes overlook?

• Have I quietly believed that only certain gifts “count” as spiritual?

• Where could I offer what I’m good at as an act of service this week?

• What would it look like to serve Christ through my ordinary work?

• Who might be blessed if I stopped holding back and started offering my gifts?

A Closing Word for Fellow Pilgrims

God is not only looking for elders and preachers. He is also calling builders, designers, encouragers, listeners, organizers, makers, servants.

Bezalel and Oholiab remind us that the Spirit of God fills people not only with faith, but with skill. And every gift, big or small, has a place in His kingdom.

So let’s offer what we have. Let’s stop comparing. Let’s stop minimizing.

The work God has given us today may be more sacred than we realize.

Until the journey is complete,

Jonathan Pilgrim

P.S. This week, let's take one skill God has given us (something practical, creative, or ordinary) and ask: “Lord, how can I use this to serve You and bless someone else?” Then let's take one small step in that direction.