Awhile back I came up with an idea that I thought could be very beneficial to a group of people. I developed and researched it and put together a plan to execute it. Before launching, however, I handed it over to another person because in truth, it didn’t really fall under my area of responsibility.

Well, the whole thing turned out quite well; it ran very successfully. But guess what? Everyone thought it originated with the person I gave it to who subsequently received lots of positive feedback. That’s fine, I thought, who cares who gets the credit?

Sad to say, apparently me. A few days ago the project was mentioned in passing by someone. Again, credit was given to the other individual and I could feel myself biting my tongue. I longed to say; “By the way, that was MY idea you know.” I resisted but afterward I realized my heart was exposed.

I’m reminded of a quote that President Reagan used often: “There’s no limit to what a man can achieve, if he doesn’t care who gets the credit.” I’ve nodded my head in agreement when I’ve heard those words but I find it is easier to hear them than to practice them.

Jesus didn’t seem to have the same trouble. He always gave credit to his Father in heaven. “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.” (John 5:19) What if I gave that a shot? Maybe then I wouldn’t be quite so worried about getting credit.