The Lord has filled
Bezalel with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, ability, and expertise
in all kinds of crafts. He is a master
craftsman, expert in working with gold, silver, and bronze. He is skilled in
engraving and mounting gemstones and in carving wood. He is a master at every
craft.
Exodus 35:31-33 (NLT)
Something said in a sermon on a recent Sunday, regarding how
God shows his delight in us by giving us certain abilities, reminded me of a
discussion with my friend a few months ago. We were participating in a Bible
study and one of the lessons focused on contentment. April addressed a concern.
She makes jewelry, lovely pieces that are more like wearable art. And she sells
her jewelry with hopes of making a good income on it. Her question was, “If
we’re supposed to be content with what we already have, and not be all about
getting more stuff, how do we justify making products for people to buy? And is
it wrong for us to want people to want our stuff?”
A paragraph in the study says:
“A study of godly contentment is not a survey of how to get along with less or how to live more simply. It has nothing to do with quelling your ambition. In fact, it’s the exact opposite of all those things. Contentment is all about how to live more abundantly in Christ. How to go deeper into the great things of God. How to press on with holy passion and to take hold with both hands of all that God has for you.” (Lord, Change My Attitude, James MacDonald, Barb Peil)
I read that to April and suggested to her that God has
gifted her with the desire, skill, creativity, time, etc, to make beautiful
jewelry. Using these gifts from God is pursuing with holy passion all that God
has for her. Her motivation is to be all that God designed her to be. She is not
responsible for what motivates people to purchase her pieces.
Someone has to make money in order to use that money for
good. If we follow the instructions in James to work “as unto the Lord”, making
a profit is a righteous endeavor. And another scripture tells us whatever our
hands find to do, do it heartily. It’s all about what our attitude is regarding
money and “stuff” and what it’s for. Raking in the money and then rolling in it
is not where our happiness is produced. When a profit is made we give the glory
to God for He has both created and blessed our hands to do so.
I’m delighted to wear April Shelley Jewelry myself. Here are
some pieces she created just for me:
I’ll be wearing them at my daughter’s wedding in just a few
weeks. Thank you, April!
Want to see more? April welcomes your browsing here:
No comments:
Post a Comment