Credit Where It's Due

Deuteronomy 8:  http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy%208&version=NIV

            Reading Deuteronomy 8, I was reminded of two incident sin Jesus’ life.  First, I was reminded of the parable of the rich fool (Luke 12:16-21); second, I was reminded of the healing of the 10 lepers (Luke 17:11-19).  I was reminded of the parable because Moses warns Israel against taking credit for their own success in the land.  He is clear:  the Lord rescued you from Egypt, preserved you in the wilderness, and gave you a bountiful land.  His conclusion is simple:  don’t forget that and start acting like you accomplished things as your own.

            It’s pretty easy to make that mistake.  We do our research, work hard, weigh our decisions, plan our actions.  We are clearly involved in a lot of our own successes—deeply involved.  This is as it should be.  Sometimes we Christians are so keen on crediting God for our successes that we forget the responsibilities He has given us—responsibilities to faithfully use the gifts He’s given us.  That wheat and barley (v. 8) isn’t going to plant itself, and that iron and copper (v. 9) isn’t going to mine itself.  So, yeah, we’ve got our part to play.  However, we don’t want to go so far down the road of personal responsibility that we forget that there is a God behind us who deserves the credit for the opportunities, resources, and abilities with which we operate.  I like how Paul balances it in 1 Corinthians 3, “I planted; Apollos watered; God gave the growth.”

            So—parable of the rich fool—let’s not get so wrapped up in our accomplishments that we forget Who really made those accomplishments possible.

            And, let’s not be like those lepers.  There need was urgent.  They shouted and clamored for Jesus to have mercy on them.  And we know what that’s like:  nothing empowers prayer quite like acute need.  But with the passing of a crisis, that urgency passes, too.  Moses warns Israel not to forget to thank and praise their God when their circumstances are settled, and we could stand that reminder, too.  Just because we don’t detect ourselves in constant need of prayer, doesn’t mean that our God is not constantly working for our good.  Indeed, He always is working for us, so a thankful spirit is always appropriate.