The Great Art Theft

by Jan 25, 2019Devotional3 comments

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.

Find Other Devotions About:

3 Comments

  1. Jami

    Sharing with my 19 and 21 year old daughters. Thank you. 🙂

    Reply
  2. Anonymous

    Interesting comparison.

    Reply
  3. Anonymous

    I like this one

    Reply

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Sir Norm’s Proverbial Comment

Stop Watering Dead Plants

Fear Of Normal

Proverbs 10:24 What the wicked fears will come upon him, but the desire of the righteous will be granted. The amazing transformation that took place in the mind, body, and soul of the madman of Gadara is a powerful demonstration of the love and power of Jesus Christ....

The Best Day Of My Life

Proverbs 4:18 But the path of the just is like the shining sun, that shines ever brighter unto the perfect day.              There are a lot of self-proclaimed gurus, life coaches, and mind-altering advisors these days vying for our attention. They claim we can create...

A Voice Of Understanding

Proverbs 8:1 Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice?         John 1:23 John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’ ” There is a vast wilderness of...

Fooled By Tomorrow

Proverbs 3:28 Do not say to your neighbour, “Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you”— when you already have it with you.         I was talking with my friend David who over the last six months, has beat a few addictions and is still overcoming them day by day. I...

Honourable Mentions

Proverbs 18:24 A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.              In the Pastoral Epistle of 2 Timothy 1 verses 16 to 18, there is an honourable mention of the help Paul received from Onesiphorus. Who...

Just A Blanket

Proverbs 18:17 There are two sides to every story. The first one to speak sounds true until you hear the other side and they set the record straight.          In the fall of 1998, I was trying to understand the war between the Serbs and Croats, and like most ethnic...

Oh Goodness

Proverbs 2:9 Then you will understand righteousness, justice, and integrity — every good path.       When God appeared to Moses in the wilderness, why didn't God show Moses His perfection, righteousness, justice, or holiness? Of all the attributes that God could have...

A Real Tell-All Book

Proverbs 20:19 One who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a gossip.       I was shaking my head the other day when a news reporter was describing a new tell-all book about a person of celebrity status. The gist of the report was...

Satan Grins At Hidden Sins

Proverbs 28:13 He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy. I heard the expression, "We are as sick as our secrets.” and I was reminded of people who have chosen to walk in disobedience to God's directions and...

In Faith We Trust

Proverbs 13:13 He who despises the word will be destroyed, but he who fears the commandment will be rewarded.         Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who...

The Lie You Are Living

Proverbs 29:12 If a ruler pays attention to liars, all his advisers will be wicked.         The above proverb has an interesting twist to it. If I am living a lie, then my counsel or advice to myself will be corrupt because I will continue to propagate the lie I am...

Mythical Beings And Mysteries

Proverbs 14:12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.              Mythical beings that have risen from folklore and superstition throughout history are strange and sometimes comical. Centaurs, vampires, werewolves,...

AudioReads

Darkness Bleeds

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvnlBYHLQb0 It is easy to flow with the crowd. Make up your own mind on what you see going on in people's lives.

Spiritually Empty

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrzTcPZcWQ8   If you find yourself spiritually empty, then fill yourself up with God and all that He has for you.

God In A Box

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFLy9PTBMNI We cannot contain God within any human device or box. However, we can have Him live in our hearts. How great is that?