Lord of rest and work,
You remind Your people first of the Sabbath
that even in the zeal to build Your sanctuary,
rest is still holy.
No fire is to be kindled on the seventh day,
for the work of our hands must never eclipse
the worship of our hearts.
Then You call for an offering
not demanded by force,
but given by those whose hearts are willing.
Gold, silver, bronze,
blue, purple, and scarlet yarn,
fine linen, goat hair, ram skins dyed red,
acacia wood, oil, spices, onyx stones
each gift carried in the hands of generosity.
Men and women alike come forward.
The skilled spin yarn, weave cloth,
craft jewelry, carve wood.
The leaders bring precious stones and spices.
Every ability, every possession,
is brought to the work of Your dwelling.
You fill Bezalel and Oholiab with skill and wisdom
not for their own fame,
but for the beauty and holiness of the place
where You will meet with Your people.
They teach others,
so the work is multiplied,
and the joy of building is shared.
Lord, give me both the rest of Sabbath
and the eagerness of a willing heart.
Let my giving be free,
my service joyful,
my skill offered back to You.
Teach me that every gift,
whether gold in the hand or talent in the mind,
can be holy when laid at Your feet.
Make my life a place
where Your presence is welcomed and honored
not because of what I can achieve,
but because I offer myself willingly
to the work You have called me to do.
In the name of Jesus,
the One in whom You dwell fully
and who is building us into a living temple,
Amen.