Enduring Work: Part IV

Bezalel was a craftsman who modeled enduring work. In this series, we’re discussing the different attributes that made Bezalel’s work so lasting.

The third attribute is intelligence. The Hebrew word for intelligence means a combination of understanding, discretion, and reason.

God gifted Bezalel with the ability to understand how to design and build furnishings. God gives each of us the kind of intelligence we need to perform our God directed jobs well.

For instance, God gave me the ability to understand business through financial statements. By reviewing financial trends, I can provide insights many others miss.

Proverbs 14:6 teaches, “A scoffer seeks wisdom in vain, but knowledge is easy for a man of understanding.” (ESV)

Intelligence encompasses more than understanding something. You need to know how to fit an idea, tool, or skill into the fabric of a business. The intelligence God describes is functional and applicable in several different capacities. Success requires the application and integration of knowledge and expertise.

Learn how you best gain understanding in your vocation and leverage that skill whenever possible. God blessed you with your gifts so that you would use them, not hoard, or worse, undervalue your giftings.

Questions For Reflection

• What does intelligence look like? What does intelligence look like in business? What does intelligent interactions in God’s work look like?
• How can you make your knowledge usable? What new skills could you use? What knowledge does your business need? What information have you been under utilizing?