When things are going well—when efforts seem to flourish and success follows—people often want to grab the glory. They pat themselves on the back as though everything happened because of their singular effort. Look what I did.
But when things begin to go wrong, something interesting happens. The same people who eagerly took the credit are suddenly no longer alone in the effort. Now it’s a group project. Now there are others to blame.
Things are great—pat me on the back.
Things go wrong—it’s their fault.
Funny? Not really.
God actually wants us to succeed. How do we know that? Because His Word tells us so. When we take time to learn His Word, meditate on it, and carefully follow His instructions, success follows.
Joshua 1:8 (NIV):
“Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”
Scripture gives us many examples of successful people, and the apostle Paul is one of them. Paul was a hard worker—by his own admission. He said he worked harder than his peers, and given his background, that wasn’t prideful boasting; it was simply true. He was accomplished, disciplined, and relentless.
Yet Paul refused to take personal credit for his success.
1 Corinthians 15:10 (NIV):
“But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.”
That statement is powerful. Paul worked hard—but he understood why he was able to work hard. It wasn’t merely discipline, intelligence, or willpower. It was the grace of God at work within him.
When someone feels they are carrying more weight than others, it’s easy to slip into a martyr mindset: Woe is me. I’m doing all the work. No one else cares as much as I do. Martha expressed that very frustration when she came to Jesus.
Luke 10:40 (NIV):
“Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
Hard work can tempt us in two ways. When things go well, we may think success is because of us. When things are difficult, we may feel burdened, resentful, or alone. Paul reminds us of a better perspective. Yes, effort matters—but grace is the source.
So what is the grace of God? Among many things, it is God’s supernatural help—His enabling power that allows us to do more than we could ever do on our own. Even a strong work ethic is ultimately a gift of grace. Our intellectual capacity, physical strength, emotional endurance, and spiritual motivation all flow from Him.
Without God’s grace, none of our success would exist.
Prayer also plays a vital role. Prayer opens doors, sharpens timing, provides resources, and releases God’s favor with others. When God’s grace and prayer combine with right motives and diligent effort, ordinary people—and even groups—can become powerhouses of effectiveness.
We are all gifted differently. Not everyone has what you have. Not everyone is graced the way you are graced. Not everyone can do what you do—and for that reason, you cannot expect them to. God has given you your gift, and He has given them theirs.
Because success always has contributors, it’s essential to recognize and appreciate others. Sharing credit builds loyalty. Gratitude fuels motivation. Honor strengthens unity. When people feel valued, they often rise to even greater levels of contribution.
Most of all, give thanks to God—always and in all things. Gratitude keeps your heart aligned and reminds you where success truly comes from. It is His grace, His gifting, and His help at work in and through you.
Acknowledging God with sincere thanksgiving—and honoring the efforts of others—is one of the greatest offerings you can give. It not only honors Him, but it also lays the foundation for continued growth, unity, and lasting success.
