Be Faithful, not Famous

Baptist Daily Devotional
Aug 5
2 min read

Rev Tetteh-Annor Larbi | August 5 2025 | Acts 14:8-15

KEY VERSE: “¹⁴when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting: ¹⁵“Friends, why are you doing this? We too are only human, like you. Acts 14:14-15 (NIV)

MESSAGE:

In Acts 14:8–15, Paul heals a man who had never walked, performing a miracle so astonishing that the people of Lystra assumed he and Barnabas were gods. The crowd praises them wildly, even attempting to offer sacrifices in their honour. But instead of soaking up the attention or capitalising on their newfound fame, Paul and Barnabas respond with deep distress. They tear their clothes—a sign of grief—and urgently point the people away from themselves and toward the living God. They understood the danger of misdirected glory and refused to let admiration distract from the gospel.

This moment reveals a timeless truth: we are not called to be famous, but to be faithful. In a world that often values popularity over integrity, Paul and Barnabas show us a better path. They didn’t manipulate the moment or ride the wave of attention. They stayed faithful to their calling, even when it cost them the favour of the crowd. Their humility reminds us that spiritual success is not about how many people applaud us but how well we reflect Christ in all circumstances.

Fame fades, but faithfulness leaves a lasting impact. Whether we serve in public or behind the scenes, our calling is to stay anchored in God’s truth and resist the temptation to make it about ourselves. When we live to glorify God instead of seeking personal praise, we create space for Him to be known and honoured through us. Like Paul and Barnabas, may we always choose.

FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:

Do not be caught up in the social media frenzy and craze to sacrifice faithfulness for fame. Be focused and stay your course, let all attention be redirected to God while you faithfully serve on your assignment.

PRAYER:

Lord, help me to seek faithfulness over fame. Keep my heart fixed on You, especially when others try to lift me higher than I should be. May everything I do reflect Your glory, not mine. For Your dear name’s sake. Amen.

THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.

SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!

The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 217: 2 Kings 9–12 — Jehu’s Revolt and Temple Repairs

DAILY word study: HUMAN The word “human” in Acts 14:15 comes from the Greek anthrōpoi, meaning "people" or "humans." It emphasises shared human nature, without divine qualities.

Paul and Barnabas made it clear—they were not gods, just people. In a world of idols and celebrity worship, this word reminds us: we’re not to be glorified. We’re here to serve.

Reflect on this:

Never forget—being human is not a weakness. It’s a reminder to stay humble and depend fully on God.