Originally posted: 03/26/2019
Endowment: the act of endowing (endow: to give or bequeath):
* natural abilities or qualities; attributes of mind or body; talent.
* capital, the property, funds, etc., that provide for an institution.
The people were called to work, to work exactly according to the LORD’s explicit instructions already provided. But make no mistake; it would only be accomplished because of His Endowment.
Consider His Endowment
- His Endowment imparted skill, understanding, and knowledge to perform the work.
- Now Bezalel and Oholiab, and every skillful person in whom the Lord has put skill and understanding to know how to perform all the work in the construction of the sanctuary, shall perform in accordance with all that the Lord has commanded, (36:1).
- His Endowment stirred hearts to overflow with generosity.
- …and they said to Moses, “The people are bringing much more than enough for the construction work which the Lord commanded us to perform.” 6 So Moses issued a command, and a proclamation was circulated throughout the camp, saying, “Let no man or woman any longer perform work for the contributions of the sanctuary.’ Thus the people were restrained from bringing any more,” (36:5-6).
- His Endowment determined the explicit instructions and means required to complete the work.
- All the skillful men among those who were performing the work made the tabernacle with… (36:8-38).
- “…in accordance with all that the Lord has commanded,” (36:1).
How do we respond to His Endowment?
- Let us trust His Endowment; whatever work He calls us to do, He has promised to enable us by His Holy Spirit Who imparts all we need: all skill, understanding, and knowledge to perform His work.
- “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it will be opened. 11 Now suppose one of you fathers is asked by his son for a fish; he will not give him a snake instead of a fish, will he? 12 Or if he is asked for an egg, he will not give him a scorpion, will he? 13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?” (Luke 11: 9-13).
- Let us begin every morning with such gratitude for His great compassions and mercies that are new every morning, that we too would be stirred to overflow with generosity. Imagine what it might be like to have to be constrained in our giving to Him!
- The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease,
For His compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness, (Lamentations 3:22-23). - Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed, (2 Corinthians 9:6-8).
- The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease,
- Let us daily seek His Endowment in His Word to receive His explicit instructions and guidance for each day’s service to Him.
- Make me know Your ways, O Lord;
Teach me Your paths.
5 Lead me in Your truth and teach me,
For You are the God of my salvation;
For You I wait all the day,” (Psalm 25:4-5). - “Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path, (Psalm 119:105).
- Make me know Your ways, O Lord;
God has been so very good to us. He has graciously provided all that we need through His Endowment given through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ; that we too would “know how to perform the work” He has called us to.
Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; 3 seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence, (2 Peter 1:2-3).
May we respond as “Bezalel and Oholiab, and every skillful person;” that we would “perform in accordance with all that the Lord has commanded.” Let us daily pray that trust, gratitude, and obedience would be the supernatural overflow of our hearts and lives.
Oh, may we live mindful that we have received His Endowment and have been granted “His divine power,“ that we would be enabled in “everything pertaining to life and godliness,” to decidedly communicate… “Jesus, I love You.”
“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments,” (John 14:15).