GIVING GLORY TO THE LORD NOT PEOPLE
ACTS 21:18-20
ACTS 21:18-20 NKJ
18 On the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present. 19 When he had greeted them, he told in detail those things which God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. 20 And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord. And they said to him, “You see, brother, how many myriads of Jews there are who have believed, and they are all zealous for the law;
The wording of these verses is important. Paul had come back to Jerusalem and met with the leaders of the church. He recounted for them the things God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry, his service to the Kingdom of God. Notice that Paul acknowledged God as the source of these amazing miracles. Paul acknowledged that he, Paul, was only the vessel that God used.
Paul had to have made it clear that God was doing great miracles because when he finished speaking, the leaders who were present glorified the Lord, not Paul.
APPLICATION
One of the biggest challenges we face in God's service is making sure we glorify the Lord for what He has done through us. And that we do not imply that we are the ones responsible. It is so easy to look at people and heap praise on them instead of realizing that people are vessels that God uses. If people were truly helped, it was God, not us.
It is a bit awkward for me when people come up after a service and heap praise on me. Not that it happens often. But when it does happen, I have found my best answer is, "I am glad that the Lord helped you through me." We want to make sure we give God the glory and not take it for ourselves. This will help other people focus on the One who is the source of their help and not get a star consciousness regarding people. We can plant seeds or water seeds, but God is the One who gives the increase, and He is the One who deserves the glory. (1 Corinthians 3:5-7)
PRAYER
Dear Father, I give You glory for all You have done. Thank you for those who plant and water, but all good is sourced in You, and I give You the glory, not man.