The Stradivari Society of Chicago performs an important role in the music world. The society entrusts expensive violins into the hands of world-class violin players who could never afford them on their own.
Top-flight violins made by seventeenth-and eighteenth-century masters like Antonio Stradivari produce an incomparably beautiful sound and now sell for millions of dollars each. Their value continues to climb, making such violins highly attractive to investors. But "great violins are not like great works of art," writes music critic John von Rhein. "They are never meant to be hung on a wall or locked up under glass. Any instrument will lose its tone if it isn't played regularly; conversely, an instrument gains in value the more it is used."
And so it is that those who own the world's greatest violins are looking for first-rate violin players to use them. The Stradivari Society brings them together, making sure that the instruments are preserved and cared for. One further requirement made by investors in such violins: the musician will give the patron at least two command performances a year.
Like the Stradivari Society, God also entrusts exquisite "violins" into the care of others. He gives us spiritual gifts of great value, which remain his property. He wants them used. He delights to hear beautiful music from our lives. And he wants us to play for Him.
Faithfulness, Ministry, Spiritual Gifts
Matt. 25:14-30; Luke 12:48; Rom. 12:5-8; Eph. 4:8-16; 1 Peter 4:10-11
Top-flight violins made by seventeenth-and eighteenth-century masters like Antonio Stradivari produce an incomparably beautiful sound and now sell for millions of dollars each. Their value continues to climb, making such violins highly attractive to investors. But "great violins are not like great works of art," writes music critic John von Rhein. "They are never meant to be hung on a wall or locked up under glass. Any instrument will lose its tone if it isn't played regularly; conversely, an instrument gains in value the more it is used."
And so it is that those who own the world's greatest violins are looking for first-rate violin players to use them. The Stradivari Society brings them together, making sure that the instruments are preserved and cared for. One further requirement made by investors in such violins: the musician will give the patron at least two command performances a year.
Like the Stradivari Society, God also entrusts exquisite "violins" into the care of others. He gives us spiritual gifts of great value, which remain his property. He wants them used. He delights to hear beautiful music from our lives. And he wants us to play for Him.
Faithfulness, Ministry, Spiritual Gifts
Matt. 25:14-30; Luke 12:48; Rom. 12:5-8; Eph. 4:8-16; 1 Peter 4:10-11