WISDOM FOR LIVING DAILY DEVOTIONAL
MAY 18, 2026
TOPIC: GIVE CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE
BY T. O. BANSO
“For we are not overextending ourselves (as though our authority did not extend to you), for it was to you that we came with the gospel of Christ; not boasting of things beyond measure, that is, in other men’s labors, but having hope, that as your faith is increased, we shall be greatly enlarged by you in our sphere, to preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man’s sphere of accomplishment” (2 Corinthians 10:14-16 New King James Version).
The eighth commandment in the Bible says, “You shall not steal” (Exodus 20:15 New King James Version). When someone takes credit for what someone else has done, it amounts to stealing. It also violates the word of God against lying (Leviticus 19:11; Proverbs 12:22; Ephesians 4:25; Colossians 3:9). Taking credit for what another person has done is dishonesty, as it misrepresents the truth and denies the person the recognition or other benefits that would have accrued to him.
In academia, it is intellectual theft to use others’ work without properly acknowledging the author. It’s theft of intellectual property, and culprits are appropriately punished for plagiarism. However, some acts of plagiarism by lecturers and students still go undetected in countries where schools have not yet begun deploying plagiarism-detection software. Although the Bible does not explicitly address intellectual property theft and plagiarism, the biblical injunctions against stealing and deceit apply.
It is also possible for the ministers of the gospel to be guilty of plagiarism, under the guise of grace, by using other ministers’ messages or published works extensively in their sermons or books without giving them credit. Some will say, “There is no copyright in spiritual works, just copy it right!” But there’s a limit to how much you can use other ministers’ works without giving them credit. The excuse that it is spiritual material is untenable.
Indeed, the Bible says, “Freely you have received, freely give” (Matthew 10:8b New King James Version). But that doesn’t mean you should deny someone the authorship of his works. You cannot delete his name and relevant details and put your own or present it as your original work. That’s fraud and un-Christian.
Don’t deny anyone the authorship of whatever he has written or produced. There are laws governing what you can and cannot use without permission, and what you can use provided you give the author credit.
It is unethical and immoral to take someone’s sermon and preach it copiously or verbatim without acknowledging the source. A pastor preached another minister’s sermon at a funeral, and another pastor in the congregation perceived that he copied the sermon because of some words he used. While the sermon was on, he Googled some of the things he had said, and surprisingly, the full sermon came up! That preacher didn’t give the author the credit.
Do you know how church members would feel if they discovered their pastors were copying or preaching verbatim the messages they themselves had prepared? This is the digital age; people can easily access information. But even if they don’t find out the truth, God knows the truth. There is a vast difference between getting sermon ideas, inspiration, or revelation from another minister’s message and copying it extensively to preach or publishing it without giving the original author credit.
Paul said, “For we are not overextending ourselves (as though our authority did not extend to you), for it was to you that we came with the gospel of Christ; not boasting of things beyond measure, that is, in other men’s labors, but having hope, that as your faith is increased, we shall be greatly enlarged by you in our sphere, to preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man’s sphere of accomplishment” (2 Corinthians 10:14-16 New King James Version). Note the last phrase in the passage: “not to boast in another man’s sphere of accomplishment.” The Contemporary English Version renders verse 16 thus: “Then we will be able to preach the good news in other lands where we cannot take credit for work someone else has already done.”
Paul founded the Corinthian church during his second missionary journey. Therefore, he said that by claiming authority over the church, he wasn’t claiming credit for someone else’s work. The Corinthian church was within the sphere of his ministry. Paul added that he could not take credit for work someone else has already done. Learn from Paul. Don’t take credit for the work someone else has already done. Give credit where credit is due.
Whether in the ministry or any other sphere of life, always give credit to whom credit is due. Paul didn’t give the impression that he worked alone; he acknowledged some of his fellow workers in the ministry (Romans 16:3; Colossians 4:7-14; Philemon 1-2, 23-24; 1 Thessalonians 3:2; 2 Corinthians 8:23).
Paul said of Onesiphorus, “The Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain; but when he arrived in Rome, he sought me out very zealously and found me. The Lord grant to him that he may find mercy from the Lord in that Day—and you know very well how many ways he ministered to me at Ephesus” (2 Timothy 1:16-18 New King James Version). Paul credited Onesiphorus for his generous help. Acknowledging this assistance didn’t diminish Paul’s standing. Some people like to present themselves as self-sufficient—as if they have never needed anybody’s assistance. That is pure pride!
In Nehemiah 3, Nehemiah took time to highlight others’ specific contributions to rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem, starting with the high priest, the regular priests, and various families. He mentioned the exact sections they built and gave the people the credit. Later, in Nehemiah 7:70-72, Nehemiah recorded the generous gifts given to the project by the family leaders, the governor, and the rest of the people.
Good leaders don’t take credit for the work or feats of their subordinates. If they do, they will not only lose the team’s respect, but they may lose the team entirely! Members may quit if they feel their potential is not recognised and appropriately rewarded. Even if they stay, they will be demotivated and unable to give their best. Conversely, giving credit serves as positive reinforcement, increasing motivation.
If you, as a leader, receive praise for your group’s collective performance, humbly share the glory. Recognise the contribution of each team member and praise them both privately and publicly.
Don’t steal credit from your colleagues, subordinates, or those who support you. Give credit where credit is due. Doing so does not diminish you; rather, it earns you respect. It proves your integrity and demonstrates that you are secure and selfless. Acknowledge the hard work and contributions of others. When people deserve praise, give it to them. Give credit where credit is due.
TAKE ACTION!
If you are not born again, you must give your heart to Jesus now. Please take the following steps: *Admit that you are a sinner and you cannot save yourself, and repent of your sins. *Confess Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. *Renounce your past way of life – your relationship with the devil and his works. *Invite Jesus into your heart. *As a mark of seriousness to mature in the faith, start attending a Bible-believing, Bible-teaching, and Bible-practising church. There, they will teach you how to grow in the Kingdom of God.
Kindly say this prayer now: O Lord God, I come unto You today. I know I am a sinner, and I cannot save myself. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross to save me, and God raised Him on the third day. I repent of my sins and confess Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. I invite Jesus into my heart. By this prayer, I know I am saved. Thank You, Jesus, for saving me and making me a child of God.
I believe you have said this prayer from your heart. Congratulations! You must join a Bible-believing, Bible-teaching, and Bible-practising church where they will teach you how to live your new life in Christ Jesus. I pray that you flourish like a palm tree and grow like a cedar of Lebanon. May you grow into Christ in all things and become all God wants you to be. I will be glad to hear from you. The Lord be with you.
PRAYER POINTS: Father, thank You for what You are doing through others and through me. Holy Spirit helps me to cultivate the habit of giving credit where credit is due. I shall not deny others their credit; I shall give them credit for their work or efforts. I shall not engage in the unethical and immoral practice of stealing the works of others, whether in the gospel ministry or outside it.
(For over 900 in-depth and powerful messages by T. O. Banso, visit www.cedarministry.org).
T. O. Banso is the President of Cedar Ministry International, Abuja, Nigeria.
Phone No: +2348155744752, +2348033113523
WhatsApp No: +2349081295947
Email: cedarministryintl@yahoo.com,
cedarministryng@gmail.com
Website: www.cedarministry.org
BE OUR FINANCIAL PARTNER
Account Name: Cedar Ministry International
Bank: United Bank for Africa
Account Number: 1027304911 (Naira)
Account Number: 3004481420 (USD)
Swift Code: UNAFNGLA
