Proverbs 25:11 Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a ruling rightly given.

      We have read news articles about great works of art being stolen that were worth millions upon millions of dollars. The losses to the owners and insurance companies insuring the art can add up significantly. Art theft is usually for the purpose of resale, ransom, and sometimes for a collector’s lust for a particular piece of art that ends up in a hidden private collection. 
      In our time in history, there is still art being returned to the rightful owners (mostly Jewish families) that are being found and recovered to this day. There was a great and organized art theft known as The Nazi plunder. This refers to art theft and other items stolen that were strategically looted from European countries during the time of the Third Reich by agents acting on behalf of the ruling Nazi Party of Germany. 
      To this day the sheer volume in number of art pieces that were stolen is vast and most likely unknown. It was looting on a national scale. We could even say it was theft of biblical proportion. 2 Kings 24:13 And he carried out thence all the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king’s house, and cut in pieces all the vessels of gold which Solomon king of Israel had made in the temple of the LORD, as the LORD had said. 
      The enemy of our soul has been doing the same thing to Christians to this day on an even larger scale than the Nazis. Satan is a thief. He spends much of his time taking our artistic ability in praise, worship, and ministry to our God away through stealth and deception. John 10:10a The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. God created us as individual artists in the faith. We were created in the image of God and part of that image is the ability to create music, song, dance, and other artful expressions to declare the wonders of our God.
      God has given us the insight and creativity in sculpture and craftsmanship working with gold and silver to show the glory of God. Ex. 35:35 He has filled them with skill to do all the work of a gem cutter; a designer; an embroiderer in blue, purple, and scarlet yarn and fine linen; and a weaver. They can do every kind of craft and design artistic designs.
      The great art theft is going on in our lives every time we compare ourselves with another person’s ability. This is not a wise way to live since we were created as individuals in God. Comparing ourselves with others will only draw us off track from whom God made us to be and the particular artistic person we are. 2 Cor. 10:12 We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise. There is no one like you in the universe. We are all one of a kind and we are the apple of God’s eye.
      The devil uses procrastination, laziness, and doubt to distract us from our God-given gifts to bring forth a work of art that God would look upon and smile. Please, if I may take imaginary licence here. God, who is our Heavenly Father, will put our artistic loving piece of work on His fridge for all the angels to see. We are individually God’s great works of art and the enemy of our soul is trying to rob, kill, and destroy our abilities in God by trashing and smearing our work. The devil is a rotten adversary who is jealous of our artistic ability that is pleasing to our God. 
      Don’t let the enemy of your soul corrupt your love and skill God has given you. Use your gifting the Lord has weaved within you to showcase the love of God toward all men. If you can paint, then paint the beauty and glory God has put in your heart. If you can sing, then sing loudly. If you can pray, then pray down the blessings of God and surround the people who need Jesus with those prayers. If you can worship, then worship till the Shekinah glory permeates the souls of everyone in earshot of your praises to God.
      We are God’s artists and workmanship. Eph. 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Be the artist God made you to be and rise up to that calling in Jesus name.