In today's reading, we look back again at the early part of Solomon's reign, as he was preparing to build the temple for the Lord.
He was humble and he recognized that his work was really not adequate for the King of the universe. I love the following passage:
“The house I build is great: for great is our God above all gods. But who is able to build him an house, seeing the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain him? Who am I then, that I should build him a house, save only to burn sacrifices before him?” 2 Chron. 2:5-6
However as Solomon set out to do the work, we see that his faith faltered, and instead of seeking God for wisdom in finding consecrated workers, he sent to the king of Tyre (a king of the world) for a man skillful in working with brass and gold.... He sought worldly talent rather than consecrated talent. The king of Tyre responded by sending a man named Huram.
Ellen White writes about the sobering result of this choice in a section titled, "The difference btw a calling and a job." What powerful lessons this story has for our lives today:
Thus at the head of Solomon’s company of workmen there was placed a man whose efforts were not prompted by an unselfish desire to render service to God. He served the god of this world, mammon. The very fibers of his being were inwrought with the principles of selfishness.
Because of his unusual skill, Huram demanded large wages. Gradually the wrong principles that he cherished came to be accepted by his associates. As they labored with him day after day, they yielded to the inclination to compare his wages with their own, and they began to lose sight of the holy character of their work. The spirit of self-denial left them, and in its place came the spirit of covetousness. The result was a demand for higher wages, which was granted.
The baleful influences thus set in operation permeated all branches of the Lord’s service, and extended throughout the kingdom. The high wages demanded and received gave to many an opportunity to indulge in luxury and extravagance. The poor were oppressed by the rich; the spirit of self-sacrifice was well-nigh lost. In the far-reaching effects of these influences may be traced one of the principal causes of the terrible apostasy of him who once was numbered among the wisest of mortals.
The sharp contrast between the spirit and motives of the people building the wilderness tabernacle, and of those engaged in erecting Solomon’s temple, has a lesson of deep significance. The self-seeking that characterized the workers on the temple finds its counterpart today in the selfishness that rules in the world. The spirit of covetousness, of seeking for the highest position and the highest wage, is rife. The willing service and joyous self-denial of the tabernacle workers is seldom met with. But this is the only spirit that should actuate the followers of Jesus. Our divine Master has given an example of how His disciples are to work. To those whom He bade, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19), He offered no stated sum as a reward for their services. They were to share with Him in self-denial and sacrifice.
Not for the wages we receive are we to labor. The motive that prompts us to work for God should have in it nothing akin to self-serving. Unselfish devotion and a spirit of sacrifice have always been and always will be the first requisite of acceptable service. Our Lord and Master designs that not one thread of selfishness shall be woven into His work. Into our efforts we are to bring the tact and skill, the exactitude and wisdom, that the God of perfection required of the builders of the earthly tabernacle; yet in all our labors we are to remember that the greatest talents or the most splendid services are acceptable only when self is laid upon the altar, a living, consuming sacrifice. (Prophets and Kings, p. 63-65)Wow! Like I said, such lessons for us today! Of course, we all need money to pay our bills and live (so I'm not suggesting we all work for no pay), but I think it's important to ask ourselves (if working in ministry), "Is this work I'm doing truly God's calling in my life? Would I want to do this in my spare time even if I received no paycheck? Or am what I doing in the church or ministry just a job? Just a way to pay the bills?" The answer to these questions might reveal where our true motives lie and where our heart is? Personally, I know that there's no greater joy than knowing you are actually living out God's calling for your life! And I believe this is what God is looking for among His workers... consecrated workers who give their all for His cause. Reading this chapter and corresponding thoughts has really reinforced this in my mind this morning. Are we following a calling or just doing a job?
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