Giving Credit Where It's Due

"You plant them. They take root and their business grows. Their profits multiply, and they are rich. They say, “Thank God!” But in their hearts they give no credit to you."  Jeremiah 12:2

Do you ever take credit that doesn't belong to you?

I once worked with a brilliant and humble woman whose boss constantly took the credit for her work.  She was bothered by it, but this boss's sins finally found him out.  The credit-stealing boss was fired and my friend was promoted.

God has convicted me lately that I often take credit for things only He can and does do.  As I have become more sensitive to this great sin, I am learning that I do this much more often than I realized.

Have you ever noticed that we have a tendency to take credit for things that only God can do?

In our carnal nature, we tend to like getting the credit.  It's a pride thing.  But, when we are being led by the Holy Spirit, humility becomes one of the hallmarks of our character.  We recognize that every victory, every blessing, every good and perfect gift is from our Heavenly Father.  We do nothing to earn it.

The devil even tempts us in the basest way to try and take credit for our own salvation—something we could never come close to earning (Ephesians 2:9).  It is this pride that deceives many a Jesus-follower into a works-based religion that is devoid of faith, rather than the balanced faith-based works relationship God desires.

The Holy Bible reminds us over and over that it is our pride that gets us into trouble and leads us into sin, and it is humility and reverential fear of the Lord that lead to riches, honor and life (Proverbs 22:4).

This same humility is what God is calling His people to right now, all over the world, that He might forgive our sin and heal our land.

May we not forget the ancient city of Tyre whom God brought low because of her great pride and credit-taking.  "The Lord of hosts has purposed it, to defile the pompous pride of all glory, to dishonor all the honored of the earth." Isaiah 23:9

And, may we give the credit always where it is due. "All honor and glory to God forever and ever! He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; he alone is God.  Amen." 1 Timothy 1:17

All glory to God!

Goodnight, Runners.