天才作曲家貝多芬是歷史上最著名的音樂家之一。他在1827年去世，至今已將近兩個世紀，但他的作品依然是最受歡迎的曲目。然而，一項針對貝多芬DNA的研究顯示，他或許並不具備一般人所想像的某些天賦。研究人員將他的基因與14,500名在節奏感方面（這僅是衡量音樂天賦的一項指標）表現優異的人進行比較，結果發現貝多芬的排名竟出乎意料地偏低。

貝多芬從小就有許多接觸音樂的機會，確實有助於發展他的音樂天賦。然而，天賦和機會並不能完全解釋我們所擁有的才能，因這些才能是上帝親自賦予的，有其意義和目的。就像上帝賜予比撒列和亞何利亞伯兩位巧匠，建造會幕所需的特殊技能。上帝使比撒列「有知識，能做各樣的工，能想出巧工」，並任命亞何利亞伯「與他同工」。對於這些擁有技能的巧匠，上帝「更使他們有智慧，能做[祂]一切所吩咐的」（出埃及記31章3-6節）。

我們當中很少有人會參與建造上帝的會幕那樣重大的項目，我們的才能也未必會被載入史冊。但上帝已賦予你我各種技能、才華和經驗，祂要我們運用祂所賜的去服事人。願我們靠著祂的大能，忠心地服事祂，榮耀祂的名。

Virtuoso composer Ludwig van Beethoven is one of the most celebrated musicians in history. Nearly two centuries after his death in 1827, his compositions are still among the most performed pieces. A study of Beethoven’s DNA, however, indicates he may not have been born with some of his abilities—as we might assume. When his genes were compared to those of 14,500 other people who’d shown an ability to keep rhythm (merely one aspect of musical talent), Beethoven ranked surprisingly low.

Beethoven also had ample opportunity and exposure to music (which developed the aptitude he did have). Yet neither talent nor opportunity fully account for God’s role in endowing us with the abilities we have. Our Creator equipped two men, Bezalel and Oholiab, with specific skills to be used in building the tabernacle. God filled Bezalel “with knowledge and with all kinds of skills—to make artistic designs” and appointed Oholiab “to help him” (Exodus 31:3-6). God gave “ability to all the skilled workers to make everything [He] commanded” (v. 6).

Few of us will work on projects as significant as God’s tabernacle. And our abilities may never be recorded in history’s annals. Yet God has equipped us with the skills, aptitudes, and experiences He wants us to share with the world. May we serve Him faithfully, in His strength and for His glory.