Taking Credit

A good friend challenged me this week for not taking credit for something she felt I deserved recognition for. Then this morning, we discussed the whole issue even further. Consequently, this post...

How do you respond when someone else takes credit for something you feel you deserve credit for? How do you react when someone takes credit for something you are pretty sure they really didn't have much involvement in?

Falsely taking credit seems to happen in a lot of places these days, doesn't it? The most prevalent might be in politics and our workplaces. But, this same problem occurs in several other places as well. For example, it happens in our homes, and in our friendships, and sadly, even in our churches.

Where's the balance? Are we banned then from taking credit for something? Is there an appropriate time and place for taking credit, almost fighting for the rights to that credit? Sure.

For example, my son Andy is in sales. A portion of his income is determined by the actual sales that he gets credit for. He should take credit for the sales that he is primarily responsible for bringing in to his company. Also, if you have genuinely written or composed something, you should be recognized and take credit for what you have uniquely developed.

Those are the easy ones.

But, what about when you are part of a much larger team, and the whole team accomplishes something noteworthy? How much credit do you deserve then? What happens when the whole team gets recognition and you are specifically left off of the list of contributors? Kind of makes you mad, doesn't it? But, should it?

I am reminded of a saying that's been around awhile. I have quoted this phrase many times over the years. It goes something like this: "If you have to ask for respect, you really don't deserve it." In other words, if you have done something noteworthy, and have given it your best effort, try to let that be enough. Don't worry about taking credit (or getting respect) for what you've done. If you really deserve it, at some point in time it will be yours. Just wait.

In our human condition, that is so hard to do, however. We want the credit we deserve, and we want it now!

This weekend, if you are like me you are trying to focus your time, attention and "spirit" on the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

He came so that we might know how to live. He died so that our sins would be forgiven. He rose from the dead so that we might have eternal life. He lives to guide us in what we need to do to honor and serve Him. He deserves all the credit.

Read the following verses from an old hymn written by Lowell Mason back in 1824:

"When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of Glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ my God.
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood.

See from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down:
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all."


After that, fussing about taking credit seems pretty unimportant, doesn't it?