“Are You a Finger Pointer or Chest Thumper?”
August 22, 2025
I recently read a book authored by John Wooden, who coached UCLA’s men’s basketball team for 12 years. In his book, “A Game Plan for Life: The Power of Mentoring”, Wooden mentioned that when a player scored a basket, he required them to point to the teammate who passed him the ball, or made the block that allowed the basket to happen. One player’s success was the result of team effort versus individual effort.
Coach Wooden’s philosophy was a bit unusual in that many athletes point to themselves, or thump their own chests, when something good happens. Many times, zero recognition is given to anyone who may have helped them in their achievements. But Wooden wanted his players to give credit to the teammate who assisted in the success of a play. He wanted them to finger point rather than chest thump.
After reading Wooden’s book, I happened to be reading Romans 16 in which the apostle Paul named 33 people who helped him in his ministry. He started with Phoebe, who was a servant of the church, in Romans 16:1 and then spent 24 verses listing people at whom he wanted to “finger point”. Not only did he mention people like Priscilla and Aquilla, Timothy, Gaius, Rufus, and Hermes, he noted how they specifically contributed to the success of Paul’s ministry. Paul didn’t thump his own chest and take credit for his work, but he showcased 33 people and immortalized them in Romans 16:1-24.
Reading Romans 16 and Wooden’s book inspired me to “finger point” and thank those who encouraged me and invested in my life. Parents, friends, pastors, teachers, and bosses, to name a few, deserve “finger pointing” instead of my “chest-thumping”.
How about you? Do you have some “finger pointing” to do? Who are the people who helped you to be where you are today?