PASTOR DAVE’S MUSINGS FROM THE HEARTLAND

February 9, 2020

WHO GETS THE CREDIT?

On former National Security Advisor, Robert O’Brien’s desk there is a plaque which says: “There is no limit to what a man can do or where he can go if he doesn’t mind who gets the credit.” An article by the Associated Press in January 2020 makes the point that O’Brien is a good example of the truth of the plaque.  The plaque is a replica of one that President Reagan had on his desk.

The history of the saying is somewhat unclear.  Charles Edward Montague in his 1922 book Disenchantment has the following quote: “There is no limit to what a man can do so long as he does not care a straw who gets the credit.”  Earlier in 1906 he attributed the saying to some friends.  The earliest known version of the saying goes back to Father Strickland in 1803: “A man may do an immense deal of good if he does not care who gets the credit for it.”

In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus says “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Mat. 5:3)  “Poor in spirit” can connote lack of arrogance and a sense of one’s need.  A possible translation of the verse might be “Blessed are the humble for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”  In verse five Jesus says, “Blessed on the meek for they shall inherit the earth.” (Mat. 5:5)  Here “meekness” is a synonym for “poor in spirit.”  Thus, it would seem that we can trace the history of the saying on O’Brien’s desk back to Jesus.

I wonder if a possible corollary of the saying might also be true: “There is no limit to what a man can do or where he can go if he is willing to take responsibility for his mistakes and failures.”  I find it easy to take credit when something goes well, but less eager when something does not go well.  In our heart of hearts we know that no one is perfect.  All of us make mistakes.  In fact very often we learn more from our failures than we do from our successes.  Many of the world’s great discoveries have been built on the back of many dead ends and failures.

Never having played competitive sports I have always wondered if athletes have a course in what to say at the end of the game when they are interviewed.  If the player being interviewed was a star on the winning team she or he will emphasize the importance of the other team members for the victory.  If the player was a star on the loosing team she or he will very often take responsibility for the loss and share what she or he might have done to help the team win.  In winning one never takes all the credit and in losing one never puts all of the blame on the other players and the coaches.

The players doing the interviews would seem to be taking the advice on Robert O’Brien’s desk and my corollary of it.  Trouble, controversy and discussion would seem to follow if a player should fail to follow one of these two dictums.  While taking undue credit will not win a player any applause, criticizing fellow players and coaches is sure to bring immediate condemnation.  The latter may also help to create an atmosphere where the ultimate goal of winning becomes impossible.

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus talks about the danger of taking a seat at the place of honor when attending a wedding banquet.   There is the possibility that you might be asked to take a lower seat and be embarrassed.  Better to take a lower seat and be invited to a higher one.  He concludes by saying, “For all who exalt themselves shall be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Luke 14:11)  By always taking the credit there is the strong possibility that one will be humbled and by giving credit to others there is an equal chance one will be exalted.