Whose Glory

📖 Scripture:

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

—1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV)

📚 Bible Study:

God has given each of us gifts. Some can sing, some can teach, some can write, some can lead, some can serve with quiet strength that changes everything.

But here’s the truth that cuts deep: if we aren’t using those gifts to glorify Him, we are using them to glorify ourselves. There is no neutral ground.

It’s one or the other.

I think about how easy it is to slip into self-glory without even realizing it.

The singer who loves the applause more than the worship.

The teacher who craves recognition more than transformation.

The leader who thrives on control instead of surrender.

Even me, when I use words to impress instead of to point hearts toward Jesus.

It sneaks in so quietly, dressed as “hard work” or “excellence” or “just doing my best.” But if I peel back the layers, I sometimes find that my heart is more concerned with people noticing me than with people seeing Him.

All. Not some. Not most. Not only the things that seem “spiritual.”

Every word. Every gift. Every action. For His glory.

And when I think about it that way, I realize it’s not just about avoiding pride—it’s about the weight of purpose. God gave me these gifts for a reason. He chose me to carry them. And if I waste them on myself, I’ve missed the very reason He placed them in me.

So I have to ask myself: whose glory am I really chasing?

When I speak, when I write, when I serve—do people walk away talking about me, or do they walk away talking about Him?

Because at the end of the day, only one name deserves the spotlight.

💭 Reflection:

Self-glory is sneaky because it often looks like success. But if the outcome is people noticing us instead of noticing Him, we’ve misplaced the point of our gifts. Real glory is reflected back to the Giver.

📝 A Question for You:

When I use my gifts, do people walk away impressed by me—or impacted by God?

🙏 Prayer:

Lord, thank You for the gifts You’ve entrusted to me. Help me to see them as tools for Your kingdom, not for my ego. Teach me to use them in ways that make people see You more clearly and love You more deeply. Keep my heart aligned with Your glory, not my own. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

⚡ Practical Step:

Pause before your next task—whether it’s work, service, or a conversation—and pray: “God, let this point to You.” Make it your practice to dedicate each action to His glory before you begin.

💌 Invite a Friend:

Forward this to someone who might need the reminder that their gifts aren’t just valuable—they’re purposeful.