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Exodus 31 – Who Owns Your Talent?
Who owns your talent? Right next to each other we have two examples of contrasting uses of talent.
Bezalel, among others was filled with “God’s Spirit, wisdom, understanding, and ability in every craft” (Exodus 31:2-3). These gifts were to be used in building the tabernacle, a place of worship (Exodus 31:7).
Aaron, whether especially gifted by God or just naturally talented, “took the gold from their hands, fashioned it with an engraving too, and made it into an image of a calf” (Exodus 32:4). This idol became a place of worship to Yahweh (Exodus 32:4-6).
Obviously Bezelel’s talent was God’s, and used for such. How many of us have “natural gifts” which allow us to lead others, make money, help people to open us, be empathetic, and be creative? Have we considered if we are born gifted that even then God was involved? Even if our DNA just happened to make us so useful, have we considered dedicating our talents to God? In the case of Aaron, crafting that calf took a lot of talent. Unfortunately, Aaron owned his own talent and used it for evil. Most of us would never do that, we just use it for ourselves. That too is evil. Who owns your talent?
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