September 29, 2004

[Rev. Doc]

Talents

"To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability."
Matthew 25:15

Bertoldo de Giovanni is a name even the most enthusiastic lover of art is unlikely to recognize. He was the pupil of Donatello, the greatest sculptor of his time, and he was the teacher of Michelangelo, the greatest sculptor of all time. Michelangelo was only 14 years old when he came to Bertoldo, but it was already obvious that he was enormously gifted. Bertoldo was wise enough to realize that gifted people are often tempted to coast rather than to grow, and therefore he kept trying to pressure his young prodigy to work seriously at his art.

One day he came into the studio to find Michelangelo toying with a piece of sculpture far beneath his abilities. Bertoldo grabbed a hammer, stomped across the room, and smashed the work into tiny pieces, shouting this unforgettable message, "Michelangelo, talent is cheap; dedication is costly!"

To use the talent God has blessed us with requires dedication to Him in the fullest sense.

Prayer: Thank God for the talents He has given you, and no matter how many you have, no matter how great or small, utilize them to their fullest.

"We have nothing to do with how much ability we've got, or how little, but with what we do with what we have. The man with great talent is apt to be puffed up, and the man with little (talent) to belittle the little. Poor fools! God gives it, much or little. Our part is to be faithful, doing the level best with every bit and scrap. And we will be if Jesus' spirit controls."
~S.D. Gordon

[true_noir_chloe]

Thank you, Rev.Doc. You are a man I believe fully uses his talent so faithfully typing out these devotions every day. Thank you. ^___^