How well do you give credit to others? Do you give credit to someone who assisted you? Or do you take all the credit for yourself? Do you prefer to be in the spotlight by yourself? Or are you willing to share it or even give it away to whomever deserves it?
Some of us like to be the center of attention. We like to be in the spotlight. We like to receive credit for something we’ve done…and sometimes take credit that isn’t due us. Others of us prefer to stay out of the spotlight, stay in the shadow.
But how do we go about giving credit when the credit should go to God? We have been given talents, skills, and the ability to think. We can use our skills to do any number of things. When we create something or do something that is special, but uses the gifts God has given us, shouldn’t we give credit to God? Even if we know we should, we don’t always do it.
Peter and John were walking by the temple when some folks brought a man who had been lame from birth. He had never walked. He would lay by the gate and beg. Peter told him that he had no money he could give to him. But what he did have was the authority of Jesus and the ability to heal the man, allowing him to walk and earn a living.
Others were amazed that Peter healed the man. But Peter was not taking credit for it. Instead, he gave the credit to God. Not only that, he told them it was by the authority of Jesus, whom they killed, that he was able to heal the man. He let them know that it was not by any special power of his own. He pointed them to Jesus, using the situation to preach the gospel.
We can use our own talents and skills, that are given to us by God, to point people to Jesus. We can give Him the glory rather than taking it for ourselves. It won’t be easy at first, but once we do it a few times, it will become natural. So, give God the credit he is due.
I pray we all realize our talents and skills are gifts from God. I pray use our gifts to do good for others. I pray each one of us give God the credit for our abilities and point others to Jesus. Know that God has given you talents and skills. Use your abilities for good. Give the credit to God.
Acts 3:12 When Peter saw it, he addressed the people, “You Israelites, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we had made him walk?”
Marty Pressey 