For God's Glory (1 Corinthians 10: especially vs 29-33 ESV)

 

Well, this opening bit is gonna be a bit out of context.  Look at this verse 31 ...

"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God"                      (1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV).

'Whatever' ... do all to the glory of God.

As believers in Jesus Christ and having become children of God (see John 1:12), we must

 "do all for God's glory."

So if you give thanks for your food and drink at the beginning of a meal, before taking any of it, thanking the Lord for the sustenance, but then after two or three mouthfuls, begin to criticize the food, how does that sit with you?

Does it give God glory?  Or, does it throw the food back into God's face?  Those who make a habit of giving thanks in one breath and then criticizing in the next, need to examine their hearts and minds for this inconsistancy.  Repentance and transformation are crucially needed.

In the country of Malawi, one missionary to the region has told me that some of the rural people don't have enough food.  They only eat once in three days, on average.  Some use a belt to cinch in their waists.  Why?  Because, they say, that it makes their stomachs smaller and therefore it won't need so much food.  They won't feel so hungry.

Let's partake of our food with thankfulness and gratitude to God our Provider and Sustainer, unless or course, we want to learn it the hard way.  In context of the chapter, refraining from certain foods and drinks would come under the heading of not causing another to stumble.  

Although the question was asked,

 "why should my liberty be determined by someone elses' conscience?" (vs 29). 

 Paul clarifies that he would not wish to cause offense to anyone.  He was not

 "seeking [his] own advantage, but that of many ..." (v 33).

Why?

So,

 " ... that they may be saved."

We may well need to cinch in belts on our minds and hearts so that we will not feel the criticizing trying to come out.  We need to realize that Paul was saying all this for the benefit of those not yet believers in Jesus Christ.  He did not want any to be stumbled or turned aside.  He also did not want new believers or those weak in their faith to be stumbled either.  

This too, gives God glory.

                                                ~  May 2026  ~

Based on 1 Corinthians 10: expecially vs 29-33 ESV.

Sing, Give Thanks With a Grateful Heart, along with Hymns of Faith and Hope.