Unsanctified Skill

Chosen men were specially endowed by God with skill and wisdom for the construction of the wilderness tabernacle (Exodus 35:30-35)…. The descendants of these men inherited to a large degree the skill conferred upon their forefathers…. For a time these men remained humble and unselfish; but gradually, almost imperceptibly, they lost their hold upon God and His truth. They began to ask for higher wages because of their superior skill. In some instances their request was granted, but more often those asking higher wages found employment in the surrounding nations…. It was to these apostates that Solomon looked for a master workman to superintend the construction of the temple on Mount Moriah….

This master workman, Huram, was a descendant, on his mother’s side, of Aholiab, to whom, hundreds of years before, God had given special wisdom for the construction of the tabernacle. Thus at the head of Solomon’s company of workmen there was placed an unsanctified man, who demanded large wages because of his unusual skill…. The baleful influences set in operation by the employment of this man of a grasping spirit, permeated all branches of the Lord’s service, and extended throughout Solomon’s kingdom…. Extravagance and corruption were to be seen on every hand. The poor were oppressed by the rich; the spirit of self-sacrifice in God’s service was well-nigh lost.

Herein lies a most important lesson for God’s people today—a lesson that many are slow to learn…. Those who claim to be followers of the Master Worker, and who engage in His service as colaborers with God, are to bring into their work the exactitude and skill, the tact and wisdom, that the God of perfection required in the building of the earthly tabernacle. And now, as in that time and as in the days of Christ’s earthly ministry, devotion to God and a spirit of sacrifice should be regarded as the first requisites of acceptable service.
Conflict and Courage p. 198
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Prayer Requests
—–Please pray for David, a little boy who disappeared from his home on New Year’s Eve. So far police have found no trace of him and the weather is well below zero nights.
—–Prayers appreciated—I can’t find my wallet. Rich
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Dear Friends,

When I was 21, I moved about 26 miles away from home to take some training at the Battle Creek Sanitarium and Hospital. One weekend, when I came home to visit, my mother told me that my Aunt Joyce and her family had moved to a big farm house outside of town. The news made me happy as I knew my three cousins would love being out in the country.

Deciding to go and see this new place for myself, I climbed into my old 1961 Mercury Meteor and started to leave. Just as I left, my mother warned me about their new dog. It was a white German Shepherd and vicious. She made me promise to honk the horn when I drove into the driveway so someone could shut the dog up in an upstairs room. I thought that my mother was exaggerating.

I found the house and drove into the drive honking the horn according to my mother’s instructions. Then I saw my three cousins down the hill playing catch with the large, white dog. He had not noticed me, and it was not very far to the back door, so I decided that I could get inside with no trouble. I opened the car door and started for the back porch. About half way there, I saw that white monster running full speed toward me. I ran to the house as fast as I could. About that time my aunt unlocked the door and I rushed inside. Just as I closed the screen door, I could feel their dog’s breath on my leg. One more second, and he would have taken a big bite! After awhile, my cousins came in to see me and they brought the dog. That made fingers of fear travel up and down my spine. Larry could handle that monster and made him sit there and told him I was “ok, ” but eventually he locked him upstairs so I wouldn’t be so uneasy. In this picture the dog does not look vicious at all, but in reality he was.

We have an adversary that is even more dangerous than my aunt’s dog. His “bite” is even more painful and deadly than that animal could inflict. He is constantly at our heels, trying to get us to fall for his temptations, causing us trouble and heartache. Sometimes he appears gentle and his temptations seem harmless so we will be lulled into a false security, but he is even more vicious than that white dog. Peter tells us, “Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist steadfast in the faith.” 1 Peter 3:8,9

Paul advises, “Put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, And be renewed in the spirit of your mind, And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil. Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children, And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savor. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints, Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light.” Eph 4:22-5:9

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness, And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance.” Eph 6:10-18 “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7 “And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.” Rom 16:20

Rose