In the past few months, I've heard a pastor and radio show host on the subject of "giving glory to God." His perspective seems to be that God doesn't need any more glory. Does God need glory from us?

Your question might provoke an even more basic one: Does God need anything? No, He doesn’t. He is perfect, sinless, holy, complete. He lacks nothing. Christians often talk about faith as a relationship, not a religious obligation. And, in a relationship, both parties participate. We might ask, “What can we possibly give to God that He doesn’t already have?”

The glory of God has been described as His greatness, beauty, perfection, magnificence, worth, loveliness, and grandeur. There is nothing any human being can do to increase God’s glory. But the Scriptures certainly speak of glorifying God as something we can do.

We’re encouraged to “ascribe” (recognize, acknowledge, attribute) to the Lord the glory that He deserves (Ps. 29:1). We’re told that the nations will “bring glory” to His name (Ps. 86:9). And we’re told that He created us for His glory (Isa. 43:7). The theme of giving glory to God continues in the New Testament. When we “bear fruit,” we bring glory to the Father (John 15:8). Jesus’ finished work on the cross brought glory to God (John 17:4). Both Paul and Peter ascribe glory to God in their letters. And the book of Revelation depicts the mysterious “living creatures” of heaven giving Him glory (Rev. 4:9).

God needs nothing. Yet, His Word tells us we can give Him honor, praise, and even glory. Giving God glory and acknowledging His holiness doesn’t fulfill any need in Him. But it does do something for us; it turns our attention to a perfect God and proclaims our recognition of and gratitude for His perfect Son.