Every good gift from above
James on the source of every gift
James anchors gratitude in a clear theology of giving: every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. Everything good that a leader has — the abilities, the opportunities, the people, the results — came down from God. None of it is self-generated; all of it is received.
This is the antidote to the pride that creeps into leadership. The successful leader is tempted to look at his gifts, achievements, and position and feel a quiet self-congratulation, as if he produced them. James relocates the source: it all came down from above. The talent you lead with, you were given. The opportunities you seized, you received. Recognizing this breeds two things — humility, because nothing is self-made, and gratitude, because everything is a gift. The leader who knows every good thing came from above holds his gifts and successes with open, thankful hands rather than a proud grip.
“What do you have that you didn't receive? Why do you boast as if you had not received it?”
— Paul, on what we have received — 1 Corinthians 4:7 (WEB)
Everything good a leader has came down from God as a gift. This breeds humility, because nothing is self-made, and gratitude, because everything is received.
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation, nor turning shadow.”
James relocates the source of every gift from the leader to God. A leader formed here holds his talents and successes as received, not produced. The inner work is humility and gratitude in place of self-congratulation.
Credit your abilities, opportunities, and results to God rather than yourself. Hold your gifts with open, thankful hands. Lead from gratitude and humility, knowing it all came down from above.
Successful leaders quietly congratulate themselves as if they produced their gifts. The blind spot is treating as self-made what was actually received.
List the gifts and successes you are tempted to take credit for. This week, name each as received from above, with thanks.
The successful leader looks at his gifts, achievements, and position and feels a quiet self-congratulation, as if he produced them. James relocates the source: it all came down from above.
What are you treating as self-made that actually came down to you as a gift?