1 Corinthians 10:19-33: a reflection

19What am I saying then? That a thing sacrificed to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? 20But I say that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I don’t desire that you would have fellowship with demons. 21You can’t both drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You can’t both partake of the table of the Lord and of the table of demons. 22Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he? 23“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are profitable. “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things build up. 24Let no one seek his own, but each one his neighbor’s good. 25Whatever is sold in the butcher shop, eat, asking no question for the sake of conscience, 26for “the earth is the Lord’s, and its fullness.” 27But if one of those who don’t believe invites you to a meal, and you are inclined to go, eat whatever is set before you, asking no questions for the sake of conscience. 28But if anyone says to you, “This was offered to idols,” don’t eat it for the sake of the one who told you, and for the sake of conscience. For “the earth is the Lord’s, with all its fullness.” 29Conscience, I say, not your own, but the other’s conscience. For why is my liberty judged by another conscience? 30If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced for something I give thanks for? 31Whether therefore you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32Give no occasion for stumbling, whether to Jews, to Greeks, or to the assembly of God; 33even as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of the many, that they may be saved.

As Paul discusses a question of Christian freedom, he gives two principles that reach far beyond the immediate issue. First: All things are lawful, but not all things build up; let no one seek his own good, but his neighbor's. And second, summing it all up: Whether therefore you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Two guiding principles: to consider others' good above our own rights, and to do everything, even the most ordinary things, to the glory of God.

Notice the two principles Paul gives. The first is to seek not merely our own good or rights, but our neighbor's good; even in things that are lawful for us, we are to consider whether they build others up, and to put others' good above our own liberty. The second is to do everything to the glory of God; whatever we do, even eating and drinking, the most ordinary acts, is to be done for God's glory. Together, they lift all of life onto a higher plane: considering others rather than only ourselves, and doing all, even the ordinary, for God's glory.

Those principles are worth taking to heart, for they can govern all we do. We can live for our own good and rights, and do ordinary things without a thought for God's glory; but Paul calls us to seek others' good above our own, and to do everything, even the ordinary, for God's glory. In whatever you do, seek not merely your own good or rights, but the good of others, considering how your actions affect them; and do all, even the ordinary acts of eating and drinking, to the glory of God, rather than merely for yourself. Let these two principles govern your life: others' good above your own rights, and all things done to God's glory; for whatever you do, even the most ordinary things, can be done to the glory of God and for the good of others, as Paul urges, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God, seeking not your own good but the good of the many.

Lord, as Paul discusses a question of Christian freedom, he gives two principles that reach far beyond the immediate issue. First: all things are lawful, but not all things build up; let no one seek his own good, but his neighbor's. And second, summing it all up: whether therefore you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Two guiding principles: to consider others' good above our own rights, and to do everything, even the most ordinary things, to your glory. Show me the two principles Paul gives. The first is to seek not merely my own good or rights, but my neighbor's good; even in things that are lawful for me, to put others' good above my own liberty. The second is to do everything to your glory; whatever I do, even eating and drinking, is to be done for your glory. Together, they lift all of life onto a higher plane. Take those principles to my heart, for they can govern all I do. I can live for my own good and rights, and do ordinary things without a thought for your glory; but Paul calls me to seek others' good above my own, and to do everything, even the ordinary, for your glory. In whatever I do, help me seek not merely my own good or rights, but the good of others; and help me do all, even the ordinary acts of eating and drinking, to your glory, Lord, rather than merely for myself. Let these two principles govern my life: others' good above my own rights, and all things done to your glory.