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    Bertoldo de Giovanni is a name even the most enthusiastic lover of art is unlikely to recognize. He was the pupil of Donatello, the greatest sculptor of his time, and he was the teacher of Michelangelo, the greatest sculptor of all time.

    Michelangelo was only 14 years old when he came to Bertoldo, but it was already obvious that he was enormously gifted. Bertoldo was wise enough to realize that gifted people are often tempted to coast rather than to grow, and therefore he kept trying to pressure his young prodigy to work seriously at his art.

“Talent is cheap; dedication is costly!”

    One day he came into the studio to find Michelangelo toying with a piece of sculpture far beneath his abilities. Bertoldo grabbed a hammer, stomped across the room, and smashed the work into tiny pieces, shouting this unforgettable message, “Michelangelo, talent is cheap; dedication is costly!”

    Dedication to God can cost our family and friends, or even something that Christian enjoy doing, especially if it is more important to us than what glorifies the Lord. God has promised us, however, that our obedience and dedication will be rewarded.

    God called His children to dedication when He told them through His servant Moses, “Today the Lord your God commands you to obey all these rules and laws; be careful to obey them with your whole being. ... But you must obey his commands. He will make you greater that all the other nations he made. He will give you praise, fame, and honor, and you will be a holy people to the Lord your God, as He has said” (Deuteronomy 26 16-19 NCV).

    We will be honored by God for our service and commitment to His ways. Today, let’s devote ourselves to living lives of dedication to our Lord.