Our scripture this morning is 1 Corinthians 10:31-33 (NLT).
So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Don’t give offense to Jews or Gentiles or the church of God. I, too, try to please everyone in everything I do. I don’t just do what is best for me; I do what is best for others so that many may be saved.
Paul takes a specific action, giving glory to God while eating and drinking, and then expands that to all our behavior. He gives us an example of not doing something, even if we know it is alright personally, if it will cause harm to someone else. His words about pleasing people don’t mean we ignore what we have been taught, but we take into account the situations of others and follow Christ’s example.
The illustration in this passage (eating food offered to idols) is difficult for most of us to understand because it is not something we encounter as they did in Paul’s time. If we focus on the lesson – not doing something that will cause someone else to fall – we can better relate to the teaching.
Paul’s point here is we must be conscious of the example we set as followers of Jesus. There are things in life that we are confident about as believers that may be of concern to those that are not or are not in the same place we are spiritually. Paul writes “I do what is best for others so that many may be saved”, an admonition to know the needs and fears of our brothers and sisters that we might share God’s love and the peace it brings.
Loving Lord, help us to see where we can be Your hands and feet, bringing the Good News to all Your children. Bless us to be a gentle example of Your love in the world. Amen.
