Chosen for Excellence test

Posted by: Leo Marte, CFP®, MBA | Sep 11 2023

Welcome to The Bible Money Journal, a brief for Christian professionals who want to learn more about God’s ways of managing money. In each edition, I share a verse, a story, and a money lesson to help you in your journey.

This brief is a resource for navigating the scriptures through the lens of financial planning and learning how to apply them in your life.

Let’s get started!

Exodus 31:1-5
1 Then the Lord said to Moses, 2 “Look, I have specifically chosen Bezalel son of Uri, grandson of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. 3 I have filled him with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, ability, and expertise in all kinds of crafts. 4 He is a master craftsman, expert in working with gold, silver, and bronze. 5 He is skilled in engraving and mounting gemstones and in carving wood. He is a master at every craft!

The Divine Call to Excellence

This week we find a story about a skilled craftsman named Bezalel, who God appointed to oversee the construction of the Tabernacle—a sacred place of worship. What can we learn from Bezalel's example? The first lesson is the importance of embracing excellence in our chosen fields.

As a mid or late-career professional, it is crucial to cultivate a mindset of excellence in everything you do. Seek to master your craft, stay updated on industry trends, and continuously enhance your skills. By aiming for excellence, you position yourself for growth and success in your financial endeavors.

Discovering and Utilizing God-Given Talents

In Exodus 31:3, we see that Bezalel was filled with the Spirit of God and equipped with wisdom, understanding, knowledge, and various skills necessary for his task. This passage highlights the importance of recognizing and utilizing our talents and abilities.

Take time to reflect on your God-given talents and how they can be utilized in your financial career. Are you naturally gifted in analyzing complex data? Do you excel in building relationships with clients? Identify your strengths and leverage them to provide exceptional talent to your company and clients.

Collaborative Efforts and Wise Stewardship

Exodus 31:2-5 emphasizes the collaborative nature of Bezalel's work. He was not alone in his task but was supported by fellow craftsmen who shared the responsibility of building the Tabernacle. Furthermore, the passage highlights the importance of wise stewardship, as the materials used for construction were precious and required careful management. Recognize the value of collaboration with colleagues, clients, and other professionals. Cultivate an environment of teamwork and open communication to foster growth and success.

Embrace Excellence

By embracing excellence, identifying and utilizing our God-given talents, fostering collaboration, and practicing wise stewardship, we can navigate the complexities of our work and become the gold standard. As you apply these principles to your own professional journey, may you find fulfillment and success in serving your clients and honoring God with your expertise.


Leo Marte is a Christian financial advisor and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™. Abundant Advisors provides financial advice for Christians with convenient virtual meetings. Let’s talk if you are ready to make the next move.