Giving Credit Where Credit is Due

(Read Genesis 41)

One of my favorite musicals of all time is Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Aside from the memorable score written by Webber and Rice, it does a good job of re-telling the biblical account of Joseph’s life as written in Genesis.

Then Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell me your dreams.”
Genesis 40:8

Joseph’s brothers despised him. He was spoiled, shown favoritism, and placed on a pedestal above all the other brothers. Not good parenting skills by his father Jacob. Joseph’s life took a drastic turn when his jealous siblings sold him to slave traders. Eventually he ended up as a slave to Potiphar, Pharaoh’s highest ranking officer.

Dreams were Joseph’s big thing. To be more specific, interpreting dreams. He developed quite a reputation for his ability to make sense out of people’s convoluted dreams. Potiphar’s wife tried to seduce Joseph unsuccessfully so she schemed against him landing him in jail. His dream interpretations continued in prison. Two years later, Egypt’s Pharaoh started having troublesome dreams. Joseph was summoned.

Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I had a dream, and no one can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.”

“I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.”
Genesis 41:15-16

In his reply to Pharaoh, Joseph displayed humility and boldness. Joseph’s dream telling had a perfect record. He could have taken credit for his gift. Joseph’s answer was bold because he corrected the Pharaoh. No one did that. In that culture, Pharaohs were believed to be god and you don’t tell one that there’s a bigger God out there who can do even greater things.

Joseph’s statement also reflected his integrity. God gave him a spiritual gift. So on a broader scale, how can we take credit for a gift that was given to us?

I connected with a few friends to ask them how they reply when given acclaim for their creativity, gifts, and accomplishments. Some friends I asked in person, some on the phone, and some on social media. Looks like there are some benefits to social media after all.

One friend who self-proclaims himself “Unemployed since he was 25,” happens to be a business owner, mentor, and trainer. “When I’m given acclaim, I will reply with a simple ‘Thank You.’ I also may let them know that I appreciate their acknowledgement. I do not believe in a ‘self-made man’.” He continued, “No one is self-made. The praise should go to God.”

“Who do you say helped you get to where you are?” I asked. He replied, “My Lord and Savior is responsible for ALL of my accomplishments.” He concluded, “It’s also important that we acknowledge other human beings, whether a friend, trainer, employee, family member, or mentor.”

Another friend who owns a thriving law practice, often receives accolades from her colleagues and clients. “I thank them deeply. I also go out of my way to give praise where it needs to be placed because I know how rare it is to hear it.” She explained that, “Praise isn’t deserved, but because people have lost a sense of compassion for one another, if people would just give positive feedback to others in any role that they serve, the world would be a much better place.” She thanks her Mom for, “Supporting me throughout my life, school, career, and through every trial and tribulation I’ve ever had.”

Joseph’s pattern of not taking credit for God’s actions showed him to be a man of honor and humility. It also takes authenticity to publicly admit when we can’t control an outcome.

“It is important to stay grounded and never forget your humble beginnings,” exclaimed an artist friend of mine. He creates masterful works of art out of computer keys. He is an international artist who is represented in several different galleries. I took an art class with my friend in high school and hadn’t talked with him in almost 40 years.

He talked about the humility of his art. “It shows we’re genuine and not only can people relate to me but also to the nature of the art being created out of computer keys. Everyone knows computer keys and I have a lot of fun sharing how I source them and put them together.”

“How do you respond when recognized for your accomplishments?” I asked a friend who is a top sales executive, mentor, and life coach.

“Always with humility and adding others into the praise. Personal success is always the outcome of many others’ contributions and supporters. Even the individual personal effort is a result of talents, experiences, and investment of others. I am who I am as a result of the talents given to me by God, environment created by my parents, and the love provided to me by my wife.”

“Who got you here?” I asked. “God, my Dad, and my wife,” he replied.

Joseph experienced servitude, imprisonment, probable beatings, and abandonment. His external circumstances while almost unbearable, refined his internal condition into pure gold. His faith and his eyes were fixed on God, enabling Joseph to endure his afflictions.

The first person I interviewed for this week’s devotional was my next-door neighbor. She’s the sole owner of a prosperous dental practice. As we were talking, I asked her how she responded to compliments for her career and success?

Without hesitation she said, “Oh it’s all God, I’d be nothing without Him.” She answered both of my questions with one statement.

There’s a term called Imposter Syndrome where people don’t believe they are as competent as others perceive them to be. Some feel like they’re a fake. At any moment you are afraid of being found out, that you don’t deserve to be where you’re at. Joseph wasn’t afraid his dream interpretations would let him down. Joseph knew he wasn’t a fraud, he was confident in the abilities God gave him because despite of all his trials, God was always with him.

Not one of my friends is a phony about what they do or what they believe. I chose each one of them for a reason but I had no idea what to expect in their response. Each from a different background, pursuing a different path in life, showed grace and humility in their thoughtful replies. Not one of them claim credit for their wins and yet each one of them gives credit to others for their accolades.

Joseph wasn’t perfect. He was a lot of things. He was honest. God gave Joseph the spiritual gift of interpreting dreams and only God would get the credit for His accuracy.

The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all.
John 3:31

Key Application:

• While God has given us some unique skills and gifts, He didn’t give us all His skills and gifts. We can only do what we’ve been given to do. God can do anything and everything, but we can’t. We need to look to Him for answers. Look at where you are in life, then look at God. When you are recognized for doing something great, point to God — thank Him, and give Him the credit.

Where else in your life can you live out the teachings of Christ? Look for next week’s Devotion.