So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. – 1 Corinthians 10:31
The message on the wooden plaque at the tourist stop read, “You are welcome to Heaven’s banquet. Please bring a covered dish.” It is a humorous reminder that Christian fellowship often centers around food. Potlucks may have fallen out of fashion in favor of food trucks in some circles, but the shared meal is a part of your faith culture, and the Jewish culture before it. The Scripture often records Jesus eating with people and, of course, as the plaque intimated, believers are looking forward to the wedding banquet feast in Heaven.
While much of the focus in today’s verse, and those preceding it, is on food and drink, Paul is instructing followers of Jesus to do everything to the glory of God. He says this again in Colossians 3:17, “Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus.” Evangelist Dwight L. Moody said, “Let us not be Christians as to the few great things of our lives, and atheists as to the many small things which fill up a far greater space of them. God is in both, waiting for the glory we can give Him in them.” Charles H. Spurgeon wrote, “And if anything you might do would not glorify God, do not do it.”
In the Message, verse 23 from this same chapter in 1 Corinthians says, “Looking at it one way, you could say, ‘Anything goes. Because of God’s immense generosity and grace, we don’t have to dissect and scrutinize every action to see if it will pass muster.’ But the point is not to just get by. We want to live well, but our foremost efforts should be to help others live well.” Be responsible for your own behavior, your own character, your own witness of Christ in you. Pray for Christians who serve in government to do their own “glory” check and seek to honor the Lord in everything.
Today’s Verse: 1 Corinthians 10:31
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: 1 Corinthians 10:23-33
23 “All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. 24 Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor. 25 Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience. 26 For “the earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof.” 27 If one of the unbelievers invites you to dinner and you are disposed to go, eat whatever is set before you without raising any question on the ground of conscience. 28 But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for the sake of conscience — 29 I do not mean your conscience, but his. For why should my liberty be determined by someone else’s conscience? 30 If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of that for which I give thanks?
31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32 Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, 33 just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
