Using God’s Gifts to the Fullest

Zig Ziglar tells about a successful jewel thief back in the Roaring Twenties by the name of Arthur Berry. Berry liked to hobnob with the rich and famous of Boston’s elite, and in fact, he wouldn’t steal from just anybody – only the very upper class. One night the police caught Berry and shot him three times. He fell through a glass window, but somehow he managed to live.

When he eventually got out of prison two decades later, Berry settled down in a quiet New England town. There he became a respected citizen, even leading a local veteran’s organization. When it finally leaked out to the press that this notorious jewel thief was living there, one young reporter asked him, “Mr.Berry, you stole from a lot of wealthy people in your life as a jewel thief. Let me ask you a question. From whom did you steal the most?”

Without a moment’s hesitation, Arthur Berry replied, “The man from whom I stole the most was me! You see, I could have been a successful businessman, had I utilized my God-given talents and developed them legitimately…”

Arthur Berry was a thief who stole from himself. He did not use the God-given talents and opportunities at his disposal, and it haunted him forever.

This story reminds me that each of us has been given gifts and talents by God- to be used for the good of the world around us. And while I hope most of us would never be as extreme as Arthur Berry, when we make excuses or bury our talents, we too are simply stealing from ourselves.

Let us pray: Loving God, we thank you for gifting us – with abilities, talents, creativity, and intelligence. Help us to develop and use all of these gifts to our fullest potential. And, may we use them in a way that is pleasing to you. Amen.