‘Do your best!’

Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them. – Roman 12:6

When Leonardo da Vinci was still a pupil, his elderly, well-known teacher asked him to finish a painting he had begun. Young Da Vinci stood in such awe of his master’s skill that at first he respectfully declined. But his teacher would accept no excuse. He simply said, "Do your best".

Trembling, Da Vinci took his brush and began. With each stroke, his hand grew more steady as the genius within him awoke. Soon he was so caught up in his work that he forgot his timidity. When the painting was finished, the frail and weak master was carried into the studio to see it. Embracing his student, he exclaimed, "My son, I paint no more!"

Every Christian has unique God-given abilities. Some believers, however, feel inferior because they don’t have as much talent as others. But we mustn’t think that way. God doesn’t hold us accountable for what we don’t have. He wants us to discover and develop the skill we do have.

Of course, we can’t all be a Leonardo da Vinci. But we don’t have to be. The apostle Paul said, "It is required in stewards that one be found faithful" (1 Corinthians 4:2). That means doing our best and leaving the results with God. Who knows, we may just surprise ourselves! – Richard W. De Haan

Give of your best to the Master,

Give Him first place in your heart;

Give Him first place in your service,

Consecrate every part.

– Grose

READ: 1 Corinthians 4:1-5

The greatest ability is dependability.

The Bible in one year:

• Job 34-35

• Acts 15:1-21