The Tree Hoarder

At times, animals can give us insight. An incident the other day is a prime example. A squirrel found a clever way to access our bird feeder.

We already had a weight-sensitive lever in place. This closes the feeder openings when too much weight is on the perching bar. On top of that, we installed a cone on the pole to prevent squirrels from climbing it.

However, one squirrel outsmarted us. He took a running leap first. Then he grabbed hold of the pole just above the cone. Once on the pole, he climbed until he was right under the feeder. Holding on to the pole with his  hind legs, he placed only one front paw on the bar. This kept his weight light enough not to trigger the lever.

I marveled at the squirrel’s ingenuity. Although he already had access to fallen seeds, he determined he’d get more. After much trial and error, he perfected his method.

That squirrel knew exactly how high to jump. He also knew how much weight he could put on the bar before it closed. Triumphant, he hung on the feeder, eating his fill. I gave him an admiring nod. “You deserve a treat for your efforts.”

However, my attitude changed completely a few minutes later. As the squirrel ate, he waved his tail back and forth across the bar. This prevented birds from getting any food. That  rascal acted justified to keep all the seeds  to himself. He had no idea we placed the food there for others to enjoy.

I shooed him away, angrily scolding, “You greedy little pest! I didn’t mind you getting food. However, you hogged it all.” As a result, I raised the cone higher. He could no longer jump on it.

Unfortunately, many of us act the same way as that squirrel. God gave us all gifts, talents, and abilities, yet we hog all the benefits for ourselves. Like the squirrel, we often act as if our success were the result of our own efforts.

Famous singers, for example, sometimes glory in their popularity, never considering the One who gave them that beautiful voice. Star athletes often fail to remember why they had success. They forget God gave them a strong body and excellent trainers. Many movie stars bask in their fame. They don’t acknowledge the One who gave them the ability to act. Who gave them  opportunities  to use their talents?

However, I. Cor. 4:7 asks us a humbling question. (Good News Translation) It says to us, “Who made you superior to others? Didn’t God give you everything you have? Well, then how can you boast, as if what you have were not a gift?”

We shouldn’t boast. After all, without His grace, we would have nothing. Zilch. Nada. Down deep inside, we all know it, even if we don’t give God the credit.

“What about our hard work?” you say. “Haven’t you forgotten what it took  me to be successful?” You’re right. Success comes with practice, lots of practice. Talent needs to be developed. However, we can’t develop it unless we have it. Remember, God gave it to us in the first place.

Why did God give us talents, gifts, and abilities?  Like the squirrel, we often fail to see why we have them. God never intended us to keep them to ourselves. Instead, He wanted us to bless other people. In doing that, we  glorify Him, not ourselves.

We have a choice to make: hoard our gifts like the squirrel, or share them with others. Which will we choose to do?