Exodus 31:1–10
King James Version
“And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship,” — Exodus 31:3
New American Standard Bible 1995
“I have filled him with the Spirit of God in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all kinds of craftsmanship,” — Exodus 31:3
English Standard Version
“and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship,” — Exodus 31:3
For many years, I thought my skills were my own. In my early business days, I was proud of what I could do. I could run a tight operation, close a deal, win people over. People praised me, and I soaked it all in. But in those same years, I was losing myself to addiction. The hands that were so capable by day were empty by night. Skill without God, I learnt the hard way, can build a name and still leave the heart in ruins.
Then I read about Bezalel. He is the first person in the Bible described as filled with “the Spirit of God”. Not for preaching. Not for leading worship. For craftsmanship — cutting stone, carving wood, working gold for the Tabernacle. God gave Moses the blueprint, and then God gave the craftsmen too. Bezalel and Aholiab did not just bring talent. They brought gifts God had placed in them, so they could build what He had commanded.
That changed how I see a Monday morning at The Gateway. The office crowd pours out of the MRT, the queue grows, the steam wand is hissing, and one of our Restarters is nervous on the bar. My coffee skills, my sense of order, my ability to lead and calm a team — none of these are mine. They are on loan. When I steady a shaking hand, or show an Academy trainee how to dial in the grinder again after the third failed shot, I am not just running a café. I am worshipping. Paul says that whether we eat or drink, do all to the glory of God. Even a flat white can be an offering.
This is why I believe in marketplace ministry. God’s house was built by craftsmen, not only by priests. Today, His Kingdom is still being built in kitchens, offices, workshops and coffee bars — by ordinary people whose skills He has filled.
So let me ask you. What is one thing you do well that you never thought was “spiritual”? Cooking for your family? Fixing things around the HDB flat? Keeping the accounts in order? Sitting with a friend at the hawker centre late at night? Have you been holding that gift as your own, using it for your own name — or hiding it because you feel unworthy?
Pause for a moment. Name that gift. Then hold it out to God with open hands. The One who filled Bezalel can fill you too, and turn your ordinary work into worship.
Prayer
Dear God, giver of all good gifts, I give You thanks for Your many blessings to me. Every skill in my hands and every bit of wisdom in my mind came from You. Forgive me for the times I held them as my own. Today I give them back to You. Fill me with Your Spirit, so that my work, my words and my service in the marketplace bring You glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Soli Deo Gloria
“As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” — 1 Peter 4:10 (KJV)
The Caffeine Experience · Brewing Coffee & Second Chances
UEN: 201725426R
