Don't Embezzle God's Glory

eDevotion

Encouragement for your daily walk with God 

One of the favorite things I did in seminary (and one of the hardest) was a biblical biography of the Apostle Paul. What intrigued me about him then, still intrigues me today: He was all about giving glory to God.  

On his trips, he and his missionary compatriots often retraced their steps in order to encourage and strengthen the young disciples they had previously made. They also went into virgin territory planting new churches and appointing elders. Here’s what struck me: There is no mention in Scripture of lengthy attempts to right the wrongs they had suffered. You don’t read any angry or sarcastic outbursts. And, most poignantly, no regrets. Their focus was a pursuit of ministry for the glory of God. 

They didn’t hold press conferences lauding their personal achievements on the trip. They didn’t get media behind them to draw attention to their hardship or successes. Absolutely none of that. They simply reported all that God had done through or with them, elevating God’s work as the main thing. 

Paul never forgot it was all about God, what God had done, not what he had accomplished. The work was his to do, but the glory belonged to God. The responsibility was his to embrace, but credit was given to God. You might say that you would never catch Paul embezzling any of God’s glory for himself. 

That is vastly different than what we see today. Self-adulation (the worship of ME) is abundant. Selfies, Instagram, FaceBook, Red Carpet Entrances, Media Interviews — watch and listen for who is elevated. Many Christ followers have fallen into the “self-promotion” trap. We are living in an age where anything goes, especially in the arena of “ME worship.” I encourage you to carefully examine your life, your ministry, to see who is getting the glory! 

And when they had arrived and gathered the church together, they began to report all things that God had done with them and how He had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. Acts 14.27