And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: "Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk?
Acts 3:12
There is a lesson here that goes way beyond miracle healings. A great danger is lurking when people look to those God uses, instead of to God Himself. When the people who were aware of the healing of the disabled man, and apparently attributed the miracle to Peter and John, Peter was quick to correct this grave error.
We must never look at the people God uses as anything other than instruments in God’s hands. As a hammer cannot drive a nail by itself unless it is in the hands of a carpenter, neither can any human being perform miracles—or any other meaningful ministry, unless the Lord is doing the work. All ministry, from a great sermon that spoke to your heart, to a simple act of kindness, is primarily a work of God’s grace. It is only secondarily a work of the person who performed the service.
Our first and deepest thanks must go to God. If it doesn’t, we rob God of His glory and make an idol out of His servants. In addition, we tempt the Lord’s servant to take credit that belongs only to God.
When we give too much credit to the servant instead of to the Lord, and that servant makes a misstep or lets us down, we are then tempted to blame God. How many have forsaken Christ’s Church because of the sins of God’s servants? This happens because people’s eyes are on the servant instead where they belong: on the Master!
It is not wrong to encourage God’s servants. But not by telling them how great they are, or even how much we appreciate them. Rather, encourage God’s servants by praising God. Try saying saying something like, “I’m praising the Lord because of how He blessed (or encouraged) me through the gift (act of kindness, or sermon) He delivered.”
Do you see how the focus is on the Lord and the action performed —not the person as anything more than the Lord’s servant-messenger? The Lord will be rightly praised and honored, and the true servants of God will be encouraged by this while not being tempted to take the credit.