Acts 12:20-25 NKJV

[20] Now Herod had been very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon; but they came to him with one accord, and having made Blastus the king’s personal aide their friend, they asked for peace, because their country was supplied with food by the king’s country. [21] So on a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat on his throne and gave an oration to them. [22] And the people kept shouting, “The voice of a god and not of a man!” [23] Then immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and died. [24] But the word of God grew and multiplied. [25] And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had fulfilled their ministry, and they also took with them John whose surname was Mark.

Success, wealth, and notoriety are pleasant attributes. I like being in places where people know me, appreciate me, and respect me. The problem with popularity is that it fuels an ungodly ego if I'm not careful. It pushes "me" into God's way.

I am blessed to have a career that provides me with a flexible schedule and the financial capability to afford everything my family needs... and many of my family's wants. I am proficient at what I do, and my reputation in the business I am in helps to ensure a steady flow of work. I could take credit for most of what I have because I am willing to work, but that would not be true.

Everything I have has come from God. I recognize all that He has blessed me with because, if it was left to me, everything I touch would fall apart. I am flawed. I don't always wake up excited to go to work. I can be ungrateful. I sometimes see jobs as obligations instead of opportunities to experience God's favor. I work to support myself instead of allowing work to be a form of worship.

Herod was a prime example of how an ego can destroy a man. I don't want to be the kind of person who loves recognition more than recognizing the source of my blessings. I don't deserve any of what God has given me, so I want to be sure He gets all the credit. I am merely a steward of His provision.