Giving Credit Where It’s Due

I am the LORD, that is My name; and My glory I will not give to another.

Isaiah 42:8

Evangelist Billy Graham is well known for his humility. Despite worldwide fame, he still finds it difficult to say no to anyone approaching him, he is unfailingly pleasant to strangers, and he always credits God with the success of his ministry. His guiding verse on the subject of personal humility has been Isaiah 42:8: “I am the LORD . . . My glory I will not give to another.”

Tragically, success often changes people. We see it especially in the athletic world. Someone gets to the top, makes the starting team, and experiences fame. Suddenly he changes. His humble, submissive attitude is gone.

Can you be humble in the face of success? Humility doesn’t imply a lack of self-confidence, nor does it make us a doormat for others to walk on. It isn’t having a low self-image or thinking poorly of oneself. Humility means not thinking of oneself very much at all, but thinking of Jesus Christ more and more.

Whatever we accomplish is due to His blessings. Whatever we gain comes from Him, for “every good and perfect gift is from above” (James 1:17 NIV). Remember to give Him the glory, honor, and praise for any success that comes your way.