The Carpenter's Tool Conference

At a time when it seems like everybody is blaming the other for the disunity in our social and political lives, I bring you this spiritual allegory from an unknown author.

One day, the carpenter’s tools had a conference. Brother Hammer was the chair. Upon bringing the meeting to order, he said that there had been some complaining among his fellow tools and he thought it would be good to discuss it openly together.

“Yes, Brother Saw, what is your complaint?” Brother saw stood up and said, “Brother Pencil is getting on everybody’s nerves. He can’t be found when he is needed for service, and he is so blunt at times. He certainly needs to be sharpened up a bit if he expects to be of any use.”

Little Brother Pencil slowly rises to his feet and says, “Alright, perhaps I am a little blunt at times, but it is because I am being used so much. At least I am not like Brother Drill and his small bits. They are always going around in circles and Brother Drill seems a bit boring.”

Well, Brother Drill and his family, stands up and replies, “Yes, I know we have a reputation of going around in circles, but at least we are not like Brother Plane. You have to push him around to get him to do anything at all. All his work is so superficial and certainly has no depth like ours.

All eyes turned to Brother Plane as he speaks up, “I’m not the only one who needs a little pushing to get things done, Brother Sandpaper is worse than I am.” And besides, who wants to work next to him with his rough attitude? He just rubs me the wrong way.”

That made Brother Sandpaper really angry. “Brother Plane is just jealous, that’s all! And while everybody is complaining, I’d like to complain about Brother Rule. Who does he think he is, always measuring others by his standards, as though he’s the only one who is right around here?”

As the conference continued, the tools were really getting hot with tempers flaring. Just as some were getting ready to walk out of the carpenter’s hall, who should walk in but the Master Carpenter from Nazareth. He had come to perform His work for the day.

His Father asked Him to build a house that they could both dwell in. So, He put his work clothes on and goes about finishing the work His Father had given Him to do, all the while using every tool. The Father appears on the scene. How thrilled and pleased He is to see what the Son has accomplished. “How did you do it, my Son?” asked the Father. The Master says, “I paid a high price for a set of tools and I put all of them to good use to build this house for us.

“See Brother Hammer over there? He is a very solid worker and effective in tearing down and building up. Then, there is Brother Saw, who is very sharp and puts his teeth into the work. Brother Pencil helps in correcting and marking the building progress. I couldn’t do without Brother Drill and his little bit family, for they are good at reaching deep into the material and opening the way for additional work.

And Brother Plane is such a smooth worker, helping overcoming obstacles and not biting off more than he can handle. Though little Sister Punch is very small, with the assistance of Brother Hammer, she does an excellent job of driving her point home. As you can see, I love my tools and I am thankful that I have a variety of them. They are well worth the investment. Let me show you around the rest of the building.”

Well, upon their leaving, all of the carpenter’s tools started rejoicing because each received compliments from the Master and saw how pleased his Father was with what they all had accomplished together. Brother Hammer rises to close the conference by saying, “Brothers and Sisters, we are all needed and loved. Whether we are old or new, large or small, have different functions or strengths, we are all important tools in the hands of the Master Carpenter.”

“And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple.” 1 Peter 2:5 “Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. Through him you are also being made part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit.” Ephesians 2:20-22

Retired Pastor Jim Nichols – Sidney Seventh-day Adventist Church