Inventive
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The concept of being inventive, while not explicitly named in the Bible, is closely related to the biblical themes of creativity, wisdom, and the use of God-given talents. The Bible provides numerous examples and teachings that highlight the importance of using one's abilities to innovate and create for the glory of God and the benefit of others.

Biblical Examples of Inventiveness

1. Bezalel and Oholiab: In the construction of the Tabernacle, God specifically chose Bezalel and Oholiab for their skill and creativity. Exodus 31:2-5 states, "See, I have appointed 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." These artisans were endowed with divine creativity to craft the sacred objects for worship, demonstrating the value God places on inventive skills.

2. Noah: The account of Noah and the Ark is another example of inventiveness. God provided Noah with specific instructions on how to build the Ark, a massive and complex structure designed to preserve life during the Flood. Noah's obedience and ingenuity in following God's plan (Genesis 6:14-16) illustrate the role of human creativity in fulfilling divine purposes.

3. Solomon: King Solomon is renowned for his wisdom, which included inventive problem-solving and governance. His ability to discern and create solutions is exemplified in the building of the Temple, a project that required extensive planning and resourcefulness (1 Kings 6). Solomon's wisdom, a gift from God, enabled him to lead and innovate effectively.

Theological Insights

The Bible teaches that all creativity and inventiveness originate from God, the ultimate Creator. Genesis 1:1 declares, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." Humanity, made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), reflects this creative nature. The ability to invent and innovate is a reflection of the divine image and a stewardship responsibility.

Wisdom and Inventiveness

Proverbs frequently associates wisdom with creativity and resourcefulness. Proverbs 8:12 states, "I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion." Wisdom is portrayed as a guiding force that enables individuals to use their inventive abilities wisely and ethically.

Parable of the Talents

The Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30) underscores the importance of using one's gifts and abilities productively. The servants who invested and multiplied their talents were commended, while the one who buried his talent was rebuked. This parable illustrates the expectation that believers should employ their inventive skills to advance God's kingdom and serve others.

Cautions Against Misuse

While inventiveness is a valuable trait, the Bible also warns against using creativity for evil purposes. Genesis 11:4 recounts the account of the Tower of Babel, where human ingenuity was used to defy God. This narrative serves as a cautionary tale about the potential misuse of creative abilities when they are not aligned with God's will.

Conclusion

The Bible encourages the use of inventive skills as a means of glorifying God and serving humanity. Through examples of biblical figures and teachings on wisdom and stewardship, Scripture provides a framework for understanding the role of inventiveness in the life of a believer.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(a.) Quick at contrivance; innovative; as, an inventive head or genius.
Strong's Hebrew
4284. machashabah -- thought, device
... Word Origin from chashab Definition thought, device NASB Word Usage design (1),
designs (3), devised (1), intentions* (1), invented (1), inventive (1), plan (2 ...
/hebrew/4284.htm - 6k
Library

The Blessing of Dissatisfaction
... As a consequence they have almost entirely lost the inventive faculty. Long ago
they were an inventive nation, but now an invention among them is a rarity. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/naylor/heart talks/talk two the blessing of.htm

The Three Witnesses
... proving power. It is so pure, so holy, so altogether above the inventive
capacity of fallen man, that it must be of God. But neither ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 20 1874/the three witnesses.htm

Introduction
... I know that it will visit me."[17]*. Into such stanzas as the following inventive
thought and holy trust crowd their meaning compactly and yet musically ". ...
//christianbookshelf.org/waring/hymns and meditations/introduction.htm

Letter iv. You Reply to the Conclusion of My Letter: "What have we ...
... other ground can I account for the whimsical subintelligiturs of our numerous
harmonists"for the curiously inferred facts, the inventive circumstantial detail ...
/.../coleridge/confessions of an inquiring spirit etc/letter iv you reply to.htm

Felicitous Phrases
... abundant, varied, and vigorous. accessible, knowable, and demonstrable. accomplished,
inventive, and deft-fingered. accuracy, ease, and grace. ...
/.../kleiser/fifteen thousand useful phrases/section iii felicitous phrases.htm

Accidental Causes of Corruption.
... ego de ode. The inventive faculty having thus done its work it remained
to superadd transposition,' as was done by 'BL. From ego ...
/.../chapter iv accidental causes of.htm

In the Work of Ministering
... how to do it. Love is inventive; it seeks patiently, and suffers long,
until it find a way to reach its object. Humility and love ...
//christianbookshelf.org/murray/working for god/xv in the work of.htm

The First Games
... The amusements of the little Africans of to-day are not very many, nor
very various either. They have no inventive imagination. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bertrand/saint augustin/iv the first games.htm

A Change from Meditation to Prayer of the Will is Necessary in an ...
... 5. It is a great mistake in some writers who think the exercise of the will to be
mean and base in comparison of inventive meditation and curious speculation ...
/.../chapter v a change from.htm

That the Inventors of Other Arts were Mostly Barbarians.
... I have added a few details from them, in order to confirm the inventive and practically
useful genius of the barbarians, by whom the Greeks profited in their ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xvi that the inventors of.htm

Thesaurus
Inventive (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Quick at contrivance; innovative; as, an inventive
head or genius. Multi-Version Concordance Inventive (2 Occurrences). ...
/i/inventive.htm - 7k

Inventions (8 Occurrences)

/i/inventions.htm - 8k

Original (6 Occurrences)
... Scripture. 3. (a.) Having the power to suggest new thoughts or combinations
of thought; inventive; as, an original genius. 4. (a ...
/o/original.htm - 9k

Inventor (1 Occurrence)

/i/inventor.htm - 7k

Imagine (24 Occurrences)
... we are God's offspring, we ought not to imagine that His nature resembles gold or
silver or marble, or anything sculptured by the art and inventive faculty of ...
/i/imagine.htm - 14k

Faculty (1 Occurrence)
... we are God's offspring, we ought not to imagine that His nature resembles gold or
silver or marble, or anything sculptured by the art and inventive faculty of ...
/f/faculty.htm - 8k

Fertile (55 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Producing fruit or vegetation in abundance; fruitful; able to produce
abundantly; prolific; fecund; productive; rich; inventive; as, fertile land or ...
/f/fertile.htm - 23k

Resembles (3 Occurrences)
... we are God's offspring, we ought not to imagine that His nature resembles gold or
silver or marble, or anything sculptured by the art and inventive faculty of ...
/r/resembles.htm - 7k

Design (84 Occurrences)
... 9. (n.) The realization of an inventive or decorative plan; esp., a work of decorative
art considered as a new creation; conception or plan shown in completed ...
/d/design.htm - 33k

Sculptured (5 Occurrences)
... we are God's offspring, we ought not to imagine that His nature resembles gold or
silver or marble, or anything sculptured by the art and inventive faculty of ...
/s/sculptured.htm - 8k

Resources
Is Marxism compatible with the Christian faith? | GotQuestions.org

Inventive: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Inventive (2 Occurrences)

Acts 17:29
Since then we are God's offspring, we ought not to imagine that His nature resembles gold or silver or marble, or anything sculptured by the art and inventive faculty of man.
(WEY)

Exodus 35:33
in cutting of stones for setting, and in carving of wood, to work in all kinds of skillful workmanship.
(See NAS)

Subtopics

Inventive

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Inventions
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