Praise.

"Praise is like a shadow. It follows him who flees from it, but flees from him who follows it."

-Grit

"The only way to escape the personal corruption of praise is to go on working."

-Albert Einstein

"He who sings his own praise is seldom asked for an encore."

-Anonymous

"Praise undeserved is poison in disguise."

-Illinois Journal of Education

"We can never praise Jesus too much."

-Anonymous

"Don't praise yourself; let others do it!"

-Proverbs 27:2

Some folks just can't say enough . . . about themselves! Have you ever noticed that? There are some folks who have always done more, caught bigger, done better, drove faster, flown higher, made more, sold more, and you name it, the list goes on and on! They also knew more, have been farther, knew everybody . . . and by now you know what I'm talking about.

In a college physics class I had the experience to sit next to a student who knew everything there was to know about physics and told everybody about it at each class. In my mind I can still see him sitting in class and praising himself. Two things were very obvious, maybe three:

1. He had never heard the quote, "It's better to be silent and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt." Even if he did know everything there is to know about physics (he didn't) it was still foolish to keep a running, verbal account of all his knowledge.

2. He didn't have many friends soon after the course began. Nobody seemed to want to work with him when our class moved from the classroom to the lab. His self-praise became a high barrier to anyone who wanted to build a relationship with him. He wasted his time with himself!

3. It soon became very obvious that my classmate didn't know as much as he claimed to know about physics. He dropped out after the first quiz!

This verse, however, is not only about the folks who think they are far better than everyone else, it's also about the folks who really are wiser, smarter, richer, stronger, and better in certain things. "Don't praise yourself, let others do it!" The verse focuses on humility. There are many people who deserve praise. Generally, those who don't praise themselves get a little embarrassed when praised publicly but they still deserve praise nonetheless. They certainly won't do it themselves.

I have seen, over and over, that God most often uses quiet people, not those who loudly proclaim their abilities, qualities, talents, and knowledge. God takes people who will function and serve behind-the-scenes and uses them in incredible ways. He uses people who tend sheep, hide in winepresses and threshing floors, fish and mend nets, pray in private, and die alone. He uses people who sweep floors, rock babies, stack chairs, welcome and smile, cook meals, visit hospitals, run errands, play instruments, operate sound systems, write notes, visit shut-ins, and pray alone.

These people hear their praise from their Master. Others praise them as well because they've quietly served Jesus wherever he called, even unseen . . . without fanfare.

Don't forget the second part of this verse about praise: " . . . let others do it!" We are the others who should be giving praise where praise is due. Praise is a powerful encourager and motivator. I read this paragraph by L. Perry Wilbur. It's about deserved praise and the results:

"Some people will work harder for praise then even money. Those workers in your group doing good work should be occasionally praised. It's good sense and good courtesy. Many effective employees, who know they're doing good work, expect to be recognized and appreciated. When deserved, be sure to praise your team members individually or before the group. They'll appreciate your appreciation, and most of them will work all the harder for you."

There is absolutely nothing wrong with giving praise where and when it is due. We are to do just that, but to others, not to ourselves. "Giving praise is much like giving love. The giver is usually the most benefited. He casts bread upon the water and often gets back cake" (Irving Feldman). The Law of Sowing and Reaping never fails, "You always reap what you sow" (Galatians 6:7b).

Plant praise!