Useful Vessels

I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.

Romans 12:3

Bertoldo de Giovanni is likely an unknown name, even among art lovers. He was the teacher of Michelangelo. Michelangelo became Bertoldo’s student when he was just fourteen years old, but his gifts were already readily apparent.

The story goes that one day Bertoldo found Michelangelo in his studio working on a sculpture that was far beneath his abilities. Grabbing a hammer, Bertoldo smashed the work into thousands of pieces. Then he shouted these memorable words: “Michelangelo, talent is cheap; dedication is costly!”

How easy it is to envy those in God’s Kingdom with very visible talent, wishing we, too, had our share of the limelight. Likewise, it is easy for those with such talent to believe their gifts are more important than those of other believers. God, by His Holy Spirit, gives the church, in the form of differing spiritual gifts imparted to every believer, everything it needs to prosper. Every gift is vital. So, it’s not the gift but what you do with it that counts.

Find a need right now and fill it. . . . Do it in the name of the Lord Jesus, and you’re doing it as unto Him.

DAVID JEREMIAH