Craftsmanship

Craftsmanship in the Bible is often depicted as a divine gift, a skill endowed by God for the purpose of fulfilling His plans. The concept of craftsmanship is first introduced in the construction of the Tabernacle, where God specifically appoints Bezalel and Oholiab as skilled artisans. In Exodus 31:2-5 , God says, "See, I have called by name Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, understanding, and ability in all kinds of craftsmanship, to design artistic works in gold, silver, and bronze, to cut gemstones for settings, and to carve wood, so that he may be a master of every craft."

This passage highlights that craftsmanship is not merely a human endeavor but a spiritual gift, enabling individuals to create works that honor God. The skills of Bezalel and Oholiab were crucial in constructing the Tabernacle, a sacred space for worship, indicating that craftsmanship serves a higher purpose in the divine narrative.

In the building of Solomon's Temple, craftsmanship again plays a significant role. 1 Kings 7:13-14 mentions Hiram of Tyre, a craftsman skilled in bronze work: "Now King Solomon sent to bring Huram from Tyre. He was a widow’s son from the tribe of Naphtali, and his father was a man of Tyre, a craftsman in bronze. Huram was filled with wisdom, understanding, and skill to do all kinds of bronze work. So he came to King Solomon and performed all his work."

Craftsmanship is also metaphorically used in the Bible to describe God's creative work. In Psalm 139:13-14 , David praises God’s craftsmanship in creating human life: "For You formed my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Marvelous are Your works, and I know this very well."

Wealth

Wealth in the Bible is portrayed with a dual perspective, acknowledging both its potential blessings and inherent dangers. Wealth is often seen as a blessing from God, a reward for obedience and diligence. Proverbs 10:22 states, "The blessing of the LORD enriches, and He adds no sorrow to it." This suggests that wealth, when received as a blessing from God, is accompanied by joy and fulfillment.

However, the Bible also warns of the spiritual perils associated with wealth. In 1 Timothy 6:9-10 , Paul cautions, "Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows."

The teachings of Jesus further emphasize the potential dangers of wealth. In Matthew 6:19-21 , Jesus advises, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

The parable of the rich fool in Luke 12:16-21 illustrates the futility of hoarding wealth without regard for one's spiritual state. The rich man, who plans to build larger barns to store his surplus grain, is called a fool by God, who demands his life that very night, leaving his wealth for others.

In the Old Testament, the account of Job presents a nuanced view of wealth. Job is initially wealthy, loses everything, and is later restored to even greater wealth. His account underscores that wealth is transient and that true faith and righteousness are not dependent on material possessions.

Overall, the Bible presents craftsmanship as a divine gift and wealth as a potential blessing, both of which should be used to honor God and serve His purposes.