Credit Where Due

Hundreds of guests filled a golden ballroom to celebrate a nonprofit’s fiftieth anniversary and honor those who made it possible, especially those who had been involved for decades. A founding member shared      with gratitude how, despite thousands of volunteer hours and millions of dollars in grants, they would not have succeeded without God. He repeated that the organization had blossomed not because of human effort—although there was plenty of that, too—but because God had provided for them.

Daniel understood the importance of ascribing good gifts to God. When King Nebuchadnezzar received a dream of the future, he called for all the wise men of Babylon to retell his dream and then interpret it. Dismayed, they protested that no one on earth could do what the king asked; it would require a supernatural power (Daniel 2:10-11). Daniel agreed, “No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries” (vv. 27-28). In faith, he asked God to reveal the dream to him. When his prayer was answered, Daniel was humble and quick to attribute the interpretation to his great God, not his own wisdom (vv. 45, 30).

It’s right to celebrate accomplishments, but at the same time we should give glory to God. The praiseworthy things in our lives can ultimately be traced back to Him.