Matthew 15:29-31

Matthew 15:29-31 
English Standard Version (ESV) 

  Team sports have a fascinating dynamic.  While the performance of individuals is often sublime, the net effect is intended to bring glory to the team.  In the case of the current World Cup, any extraordinary performances by individuals or teams is supposed to point to the country, so that if the Iceland team win the World Cup, all of Iceland can claim that they are the best country in the world at soccer/football. 
  Religion should be the same way.  Our actions and our words, even at their most brilliant, are not meant merely to elevate the world's opinion of us.  They should point to something greater than ourselves, just as the miracles of Jesus point people to glorify the God of Israel. 
  It's easy for preachers to hear any praise heaped upon them as affirmations of how great they are.  If left unchecked, preachers can develop huge egos and forget what the point of it all is.  It's not just preachers -- we can start to congratulate ourselves on how great we are whenever we do good things, and we forget the heart of it all.  We forget that we exist to bring glory to God, and that our lives are eternally oriented to praise the one who made us.  We worship a generous God who shares his honor and glory and love, so we don't have to fear that we'll only give and never receive.  We get far more than we can ask or imagine -- so may we be generous and direct all the glory to God.