Week 12: Boast Unto the Lord

Exodus 31:1-6

I become uncomfortable when I’m around people who brag and boast about their accomplishments, abilities, status, possessions, who they know, where they’ve been, and so on. On a human level, it is unbecoming and obnoxious, but on a spiritual level, it is a form of idolatry. We take credit and elevate ourselves as the source of abilities we did not give ourselves. Yes, we must work hard with the gifts God has provided (Colossians 3:23), but even the ability to work hard comes from God. Of course, we can share our achievements and feel pleased when our efforts have benefited us and others, but bragging and boasting suggest we’ve acquired what we have without acknowledging the sovereign hand of our loving and gracious God.

In Exodus 31:1-6, the Lord advises Moses that He has called by name two men.  The first is Bezalel. The Lord filled Bezalel with the Spirit of God, and “with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship, to devise artistic designs, to work in gold, silver, and bronze, in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, to work in every craft”. God then appointed Oholiab and all capable men to work with him, granting them the skills to carry out everything God commanded for building the tabernacle and its furnishings. Notice carefully that the Lord selected each person and endowed them with specific abilities to fulfill His work for His glory. The Lord gave some increased intelligence. The Lord provided artistic talent. The Lord supplied the resources needed to complete what He commissioned. Whether you are a believer in Jesus as your Lord and Savior or not, He is the source of all we have. He gives us every ability to accomplish anything in life, and He alone deserves the glory. 

King David knew this well and stated in front of the whole assembly: 

“Praise be to you, Lord, the God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.” (1 Chronicles 29:10b-13, NIV)

King David understood what many of us do not: wealth, honor, gifts, talents, and everything else come from God! 

My husband has a high aptitude for math. When he reviews our budgeting goals or compares health benefit packages, I often sit there with a blank look on my face. Quickly crunching numbers in conversation isn’t my strength, but he does it effortlessly. When he gives me the, “Do you know what I mean?”  I just smile and say, “I’m just letting you process out loud so you can make the best decision for our family.” That’s simply not the gift God gave me. After 30 years of marriage, my husband understands this well, which allows him to be gracious and compassionate when I have a blank look while he’s racing through numbers that make my brain want to explode. My husband isn’t in a profession or ministry that requires his math skills, but I’ve seen him use his high aptitude in math to glorify God at home and in helping others. I’ve never once heard him say, “I can’t believe you don’t understand these numbers.” 

If we are going to boast, we need to boast in the Lord (1 Corinthians 1:31), because all good gifts come from Him, (James 1:17). We are not only called to walk in humility with the gifts God has given us, but also to encourage each other to do good works with the God-given gifts and strengths we see in one another. My friend, let’s give credit where it’s due. All credit, honor, and glory belong to God for everything we have and everything we’ve accomplished (1 Timothy 1:19).