Dear Parent,
One day, Jesus and Peter needed money FAST!
They had to pay the temple tax or they would risk being arrested.
What did Jesus do?
He sent His disciple fishing.
Jesus instructed Peter to check the mouth of the first fish he caught for a piece of money with which to pay the tax for both of them (Matthew 17:24–27).
But Jesus was not a fisherman. Why did He ask Peter to catch a fish?
Why didn’t He ask Peter to preach for money?
Because fishing was Peter’s learned skill. Peter was a skilled fisherman.
If Peter was going to make urgent money it would have to be through fishing.
Fishing was the gift that God had placed in Peter’s hands, and he was extremely good at it.
So, I ask you today: What is in your hand?
Let’s take a look at Joseph— the slave-turned-prime minister.
He had a skill. Several skills, in fact.
The first was interpreting dreams (Genesis 40:8).
Another skill was administration (Genesis 39:1–6).
He had people skills (Genesis 40:6–7).
It was these three skills (among others) that God used to deliver him from slavery, get him into the palace, and preserve Israel (his kinfolk) for at least seven years.
How about Moses?
He was born into a family of Hebrew slaves but was raised as an Egyptian prince.
He was trained to lead and he was raised in the culture of the Egyptians, who were free men.
And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and deeds.
— Acts 7:22
One would have thought God would use an Israelite slave living in Goshen to lead the people of Israel out of slavery.
But,
God will not use a skill you have not developed to provide riches for you.
"God will not use a skill you have not developed to provide riches for you." Share on XSo, let me ask you again: What skill do you have in your hand?
You may have been given gifts that currently lay dormant.
Perhaps you left your gifts and talents undeveloped because you had to fend for yourself.
It’s not a problem. Dedicate at least 30 minutes daily to honing your craft.
Be so good at your skill that you will be known by it.
Is this not the Carpenter?
When Jesus preached in His hometown His people asked, “Is this not the Carpenter?” (Mark 6:1–3).
Jesus was known first by His craft before He was known as a Miracle Worker and Preacher.
"Jesus was known first as a carpenter before He was known as a Miracle Worker and Preacher." Share on XThat implies He was really good at carpentry.
How about Paul?
After these things Paul departed from Athens and went to Corinth. And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla (because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome); and he came to them. So, because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked; for by occupation they were tentmakers. And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks.
— Acts 18:1–4
Paul’s trade wasn’t preaching. It was tentmaking.
He was skilled at it, and the proceeds from tentmaking met his needs and the needs of others with him.
I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
— Acts 20:33–35
My point is, when you have developed your skill, you can expect to earn a lot from your work, and that will meet your needs.
But what if you are not skilled at anything?
I personally find that hard to believe, but if indeed you don’t have a skill, you can do a personality test or a skills-based assessment to determine the areas in which you are highly likely to excel.
After that, please hone your craft(s) to the best of your ability as you work your day job and watch the millions gradually start rolling in. 😉
So, for the last time, “What is in your hand?”
(This post is part six out of an eight-part series. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did writing it).