Passage Read: Exodus 35-38
Meditation Verses: 36:1-2
Thought
Two men are mentioned by name, as the leaders of the project. All the other skillful workers remain unnamed. But then there were countless others who had no skills to contribute to this work, and they had no part in it, except perhaps as one who donated material to the project. In that case, perhaps every household had a hand in this project. Still, only three men are recorded: Moses, Bezalel and Oholiab. They get all the credit. God knows everyone who gave. God knows everyone who labored, but we only know these three. Do I have to have recognition here and now in order to serve the Lord or can I be content merely with doing what I'm able? Can I be content with knowing that the Lord sees my work and will reward me accordingly? Am I even doing anything that the Lord would be pleased to reward me for? The Lord called for all who were of a willing heart to give to the project, and all who were of a willing heart to serve in the project. Both the giving and the volunteering were to come from willing hearts, not compelled hearts or compensated hearts. There had to be a desire on the part of those who gave and those who served, a desire to honor the Lord, a love for the Lord, a desire to give back to the Lord according to what He had already done for them.
Application
That's perhaps the key to humility: Recognizing that God has already done more for me than I could ever repay, so that I don't think first of a reward, but rather give out of gratitude for what has already been done for me. Any reward promised and delivered is more generosity piled on already overwhelming graciousness. I shouldn't be calculating what I can gain by serving, and giving or serving only if I see enough benefit in the promised reward. I should be serving because I recognize how incredible the gift is I've already been given. God gave first and gave beyond anything I could ever repay. No amount of service or giving could ever compare to what God has done for me and promised me. Giving and serving should overflow from me, without any thought of recognition or pat on the back or any other compensation. If I'm not overflowing with willingness to give to God and serve Him—without thought of any return or recognition—I don't really understand what He has offered me, and it's quite possible that I haven't even really received His incomparable gift.