Giving Credit

Giving Credit

In the early 1960's, some unusual paintings featuring a person or animal with huge, sad eyes became popular. Some considered the work "kitschy"-or tacky-but others delighted in it. As the artist's husband began to promote his wife's creations, the couple grew quite prosperous. But the artist's signature Margaret Keane-didn't appear on her work. Instead, Margaret's husband presented his wife's work as his own. Margaret fearfully remained silent about the fraud for twenty years until the couple's marriage ended. It took a court room "paint-off" between them to prove the true artist's identity.

The man's deception was clearly wrong, but even as followers of Jesus, we may find it easy to take credit for talents we possess, leadership skills we display, or even for our kind deeds to others. But those qualities are possible only because of God's grace. In Jeremiah 9, we find prophet lamenting the lack of humility and the unrepentant hearts of the people. He wrote that the Lord says we shouldn't boast of our wisdom, our strength, or our riches, but only that we might understand and know that He is the Lord " who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth."

Our hearts fill with gratitude as we realize the identity of the true Artist. " Every good and perfect gift is...from the Father." All of the credit, all of the praise belongs to the Giver of good gifts.

Dear Father, thank You for all the good gifts You so graciously give.

We were created to give God glory.