Don’t Steal the Boss’s Brand — Giving God the Glory
Deflecting Praise to the One Who Deserves It
Scripture: Acts 14:14-15 (NASB95)
But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their robes and rushed out into the crowd, crying out and saying, “Men, why are you doing these things? We are also men of the same nature as you, and preach the gospel to you that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them.”
Cowboy Wisdom
On the open range, every cow carries a brand that tells you who it belongs to. A crooked man might try to alter someone else’s brand and claim the cattle as his own, but an honest cowboy would never dream of it. When the people of Lystra tried to worship Paul and Barnabas as gods, those two men could have sat back, soaked it in, and enjoyed the glory. But they didn’t. They tore their robes—which in their culture was the strongest way a man could say, “This is dead wrong!”—and they rushed out to set the record straight. They weren’t about to steal the Boss’s brand.
It’s a temptation that rides alongside every person God uses in a mighty way. When the Lord works through you—when someone gets saved, when a prayer gets answered, when a ministry flourishes—there’s a sly little voice that whispers, “You did that. You’re pretty special.” And if you’re not careful, you’ll start believing it. We see it every day—preachers, celebrities, athletes—people who take the credit that belongs to God alone and wear it like a crown they never earned. Meanwhile, folks will stand in the cold rain all night to catch a glimpse of these little “g” gods, but they won’t walk across a sunny street to worship the living God who gave them breath.
Paul and Barnabas knew exactly who they were: just regular men, same nature as everybody else, carrying a message from the only One who truly deserves worship. An honest ranch hand doesn’t take credit for the rain that made the grass grow—he thanks the good Lord for it and gets back to work. When God does something mighty in your life or through your life, be quick to point folks to Him. Don’t ever let the praise that belongs to the Almighty settle on your shoulders. It’s a weight you were never meant to carry, and it’ll break you if you try.
Questions for Reflection
Have you ever been tempted to take credit for something God did through you? How did you handle it?
Paul and Barnabas immediately corrected the crowd’s misplaced worship. Are there “little g gods” in your life—people, possessions, or pursuits—that receive the devotion that belongs to the Lord?
Romans 1:21-23 warns about exchanging God’s glory for created things. In what practical ways can you redirect praise and attention back to God this week?
Prayer Focus
Heavenly Father, forgive me for the times I’ve accepted glory that belongs to You. Help me to be like Paul and Barnabas—quick to point every bit of praise back to You. Remove the idols from my heart and help me worship You alone—the living God who made heaven and earth. Let everything I do and say bring honor to Your name, not mine. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
