A Lesson From God’s Unorthodox Minister

Bezalel was a craftsman, uniquely skilled by God for work in His kingdom.

Though he didn’t have a traditional role in ministry, it was an important role nonetheless. I grew up in a church culture that believed someone who was called by God would become a pastor, evangelist, or missionary. A missionary was at the top of my preferred calling list. As much as I had hoped to be sent to Africa, I had to settle for a pastoral calling. Back in the day, we believed people either had a sacred calling or vocation or else must settle for secular work, which was not considered a calling.

I have always admired those who followed in a minister’s footsteps to become a minister as I did. However, I was determined not to push my three children toward traditional church ministry, and I encouraged them in whatever vocation they chose. I believe if you asked them, they would say I was proud of them.

Attitudes toward ministry roles have changed somewhat so that we now recognize there are many more people using skills and talents in the work of God. In addition to the traditional ministry roles, there are technology experts, graphic designers, writers, and consultants of various kinds who work in ministry for Christian organizations. Bezalel represents today’s nontraditional gospel worker for Christ.

God uses those with all sorts of skills to further His kingdom. He is the source of all the skills and talents we need to do His work. Moses recognized this and saw the hand of God on Bezalel in the building of the tabernacle. “Bezalel and Aholiab, and every gifted artisan in whom the Lord has put wisdom and understanding, to know how to do all manner of work for the service of the sanctuary, shall do according to all that the Lord had commanded” (Exodus 36:1,2). They did not go to any trade school—there were none. The Lord anointed them for their construction just as He anointed the Levites to serve when the craftsmen finished their work. In Exodus, more than five chapters outline the work and skills of seamstresses, clothing designers, metal workers, and others instrumental in preparing a worship center for the people of God. The first craftsmen were then able to train others.

Today the kingdom of God is blessed to have contractors, architects, carpenters, electricians, plumbers, and others skilled with brain and brawn to assist in the work of God worldwide. Some use their skills working both a secular job and in ministry when opportunities present themselves.

I know what it’s like to have a fleet of vehicles, as we used them to take teams of workers for outreach and evangelism work out on the streets. I was always thankful for those who helped keep our ministry equipped with the wheels to do God’s work. From a garage to an office, the ministry of “helps” is essential for taking the gospel into all the world. Whatever our individual roles, Scripture tells us to be “always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58).

The Impact of Ordinary People: Lessons from the Lesser-Known Men of the Bible

Don Wilkerson

Moses, David, Joseph, Peter, Paul…these are just some of the well-known names of the Bible. They are the subject of countless sermons and stories that have inspired Bible lessons from childhood to adulthood. But Scripture also contains a supporting cast of ordinary men and women often overlooked in Bible study. These lesser-known characters deserve accolades for their contribution to God’s redemptive story.
In a three-part series, Don Wilkerson shares the impact of those less known in the Bible, both named and unnamed. These not-so-familiar characters are brought to life in short but thought-provoking chapters with lessons that remind us that God often uses ordinary people in extraordinary ways to build His kingdom.
For those seeking discipleship material for personal growth, The Impact of Ordinary People will aid individual and small group Bible study. This three-part series is also a helpful resource for pastors and Christian leaders to develop unique and one-of-a-kind sermons.