"Give Credit Where Credit Is Due"

Scripture: "Therefore, as it is written: Let him who boasts boast in the Lord." - 1 Corinthians 1:31, NIV

As a sports fan, I am always impressed with the interviews players give after receiving an award of some type. I can recall listening to Peyton Manning, after receiving his 4th NFL MVP award, and how he thanked his teammates from the offensive line to his running backs to his wide receivers for helping him to win the award. I can also recall listening to LeBron James and how he thanked his teammates on the Cleveland Cavaliers when he won the NBA MVP award last year. Can you recall ever praising your team or colleagues for something you received credit for? If that's the case, then you are a firm believer in the cliché "giving credit where credit is due". Well today, the Apostle Paul wants us to exercise this cliché. Let's examine how Paul wants us to exercise it.

Today's message finds us in the book of 1 Corinthians. This served as Paul's first letter or epistle to the church at Corinth. The city of Corinth is located in the country of Greece and it is approximately 78 miles southwest of its capital city, Athens. Within this particular letter, 1 Corinthians reflect the difficulties or challenges of maintaining a Christian community in such a place. Within this introductory chapter, Paul provides opening remarks, has a discussion on thanksgiving, a discussion on divisions in the church, and a discussion on Christ, wisdom, and the power of God. Within the last discussion is where our focal verse lies.

The text simply says after therefore as it is written, "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord". In other words, when you receive the promotion on the job, do not boast about your hard work, boast about the Lord who gave you the ability to work hard! When you graduate with your degree from college, boast on the God who gave you the brain power, the endurance, the wherewithal to hang in there and do it! When you receive healing from your body, boast on the God who was Jehovah Rophe and provided you the healing! When the bills are paid and the money you made was not enough, boast about the God who was Jehovah Jireh and provided you a way of getting things done! The beginning part of this text stated "Therefore, as it is written". This particular scripture can be found in Psalms 34:2. Within this verse, we find David celebrating in the Lord for when he was a lunatic in the Philistine army and how God provided a way of escape for him! Aren't you glad to know that God can provide you a way of escape? Aren’t you glad to know that He gets off on your boasting of Him?

In closing, I respect the athletes who respect their peers in helping them achieve personal glory. I also revere actors/actresses/rappers/singers who honor God as they receive their various awards. They take time to give credit where credit is due. It's your charge, as God continues to bless you, to give Him the credit He's due! It's on us to give Him the honor He is due! It's on us to give Him the praise He is due! Let's strive and/or continue to give God the credit He deserves!