As a child, I was taught that it didn’t matter who got the credit. For years, I believed it. It sounded noble and humble. But over time, I’ve learned that this belief can be damning, especially for Black people. Too often, the greatest achievements in life are perceived to have been invented by white people or enhanced by them, even when the truth tells a different story.
Humility is a virtue, but humility doesn’t mean thinking less of yourself—it means thinking of others more than yourself. What a struggling Black person doesn’t need from another Black person is a mindset rooted in false humility, one that shrinks from owning their greatness or refuses to celebrate their contributions. It’s damaging. Instead, we should take pride in the talents, gifts, and skills we’ve been given.
I’m proud of the things I’ve mastered, not because they make me better than anyone else, but because I can use those skills to serve others. That’s what significance is all about—using what God gave you to make a difference. And as much as I stand firm in my strengths, I also stay open to learning from those who are strong where I’m weak. I’ll gladly give credit where it’s due, even if the person doesn’t ask for it. After all, I am the byproduct of others pouring into me.
This idea of credit and recognition became even clearer to me one Sunday morning at Elizabeth Baptist Church. My pastor, Bishop Craig L. Oliver, said something profound: “We can receive credit for what we do, as long as God receives the glory.” That statement challenged the belief I grew up with—that credit doesn’t matter. It does matter. Not for self-glory, but because it can point people to the One who made it all possible.
The Bible is full of examples of people receiving credit for their actions, not to elevate them, but to magnify God’s work through them. Take Moses, for example. He’s credited with leading the Israelites out of Egypt, but the story clearly shows that it was God working through him. Or Paul, who spread the Gospel far and wide despite his troubled past. Paul himself said, “By the grace of God, I am what I am” (1 Corinthians 15:10). These stories show us that receiving credit and giving glory to God are not opposites—they go hand in hand.
When we acknowledge our contributions, we showcase how God uses ordinary people for extraordinary purposes. Jesus said it best: “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). Recognizing our work allows us to shine a light on God’s greatness.
For me, that starts with my family—my wife Kelli and my daughters Mackenzi and Mackenna. Serving them is my first ministry. From there, my mission grows outward to the millions I hope to inspire and lead to Christ. I don’t shy away from recognizing what God has done through me because I know it’s an opportunity to reflect His glory.
Ultimately, it does matter who gets the credit. Not for ego, but as a platform to lead others back to God. As Romans 11:36 reminds us: “For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever!”
So, I encourage you: Own your contributions. Celebrate your strengths. And when you receive credit, use it as a chance to give God the glory He deserves. That’s how we make our lives—and our work—significant.
Photo by Steve West