I remember creating a document for the company I was working for. The document was to be presented to a huge regulatory agency and I knew that it would receive high praise, if all went well.
I took the document to my manager for edits, and upon return, I noticed the authorship of the document switched from my name to hers.
You can say, I became livid. What in the world, I thought? How dare she take credit for my work. I tried remaining calm but eventually couldn’t hold it in and confronted her about it.
She said, “I made a few changes to the document, so I thought I should put my name as author.”
It didn’t make sense to me, as I researched, pulled all the data together and wrote the entire plan. I stated my concern and she eventually agreed to change it back.
You see, at the time, getting the credit mattered to me. And most often in our world, getting the credit for what we do, matters.
But over the years, through more examples like this, I have learned the invaluable lesson that getting the credit doesn’t matter as much. In fact, in a way it really doesn’t matter at all. Because the credit never belonged to us in the first place. Instead, it all belongs to our God.
I think of that instance from time to time and wonder what difference it would have made if I hadn’t made such a big deal it. Because I do not believe that she was trying to be malicious about it. But I believe, in the end, it hurt our friendship.
The thing is, no matter what we do, it is never in our own strength. Whether we win a million awards, get promoted, or come up with a bright idea.
We may want to believe everything we do is from our own thoughts, and power. But in reality, we can’t even take our next breath without God.
Acts 17:28 NIV says, “For in him we live and move and have our being.”
So, have you ever found yourself in a situation where you wanted the credit? Maybe have even demanded the credit?
I know the Lord was teaching me even then, how getting the credit doesn’t matter much. And maybe he’s teaching you.
Because if we seek praise here on this earth, the Bible says we have our reward. So, I’d rather have Heavenly rewards instead of earthly gain.
Rick Warren wrote, “At the end of your life on earth you will be evaluated and rewarded according to how well you handled what God entrusted to you.”
Did you catch that? It doesn’t matter if we get the credit, it matters most what we do with what God has entrusted us with.
So may we work unto the Lord, seeking Heavenly rewards and only to seek His approval. He is our audience of One and He is the only One who matters. All praise, glory, and honor belongs to Him. Amen.
Matthew 6:33 NIV says, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
To seek first the kingdom, is the seeking of Heavenly rewards. Amen.
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