Who Gets The Credit?

We often see a man standing by the side of the road with a sign looking for money for food. Or we see a woman with children standing beside her asking for coins to take care of her children. The Christian thing to do, of course, is to give them some money. But do we do it as the Christian thing to do or for the glory for ourselves? Please read on.

I had mentioned to my husband a few weeks ago about a lady I have met coming to my desk at work. I work for the city utilities in the finance department helping those in need. I took an instant liking to this woman. We seemed to have a bond. I knew then that in the spirit of giving I was going to help this lady at Christmas.

I have been planning ever since then as to what I would give her as a gift. I have been planning when I would give her the gift. I have been planning how I would get the gift to her. My husband and I kicked over the ideas making a plan A, a plan B and possibly even a plan C.

I decided the best thing I could do for her, short of money, was to buy her food. Maybe I should make a food basket. I thought about giving her a ham, some canned goods, some fruit etc. and making it into a nice food basket. It would probably have a cellophane cover and a beautiful big red bow with a tag that read "With Love".

Funny thing, after all my planning, I was watching television one Sunday morning and all of a sudden I cried and felt sick inside. I realized deep down inside this lady would know who the gift came from. There was no doubt in my mind. What was my motive? Was I planning to take the credit for her Christmas gift?

The preacher who was on television that morning was talking about helping the needy. It was only after he said the following words that I went limp. "When you are giving to or helping someone, who gets the credit? If you give the gift, you get the credit. If you allow the church to give the gift, God gets the credit".

I know now what I must do. I must allow God to have the credit. He is the only one who deserves it!!!!