The Inheritance of Everyday Living
Peter Neilson
November 19, 2019
Add to Favourites
Listen to this daily worship
1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1 (NIV)
23 “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. 24 No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.
25 Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience, 26 for, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.”
27 If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before youwithout raising questions of conscience. 28 But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, both for the sake of the one who told you and for the sake of conscience. 29 I am referring to the other person’s conscience, not yours. For why is my freedom being judged by another’s conscience? 30 If I take part in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of something I thank God for?
31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 32 Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— 33 even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved. (11) 1 Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.
‘Whatever you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God....Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.’ (from 10:31; 11:1)
“Whatever” is a big word. No place to hide. No corners for practical atheism. Not the teenage “whatever” of the shrugging shoulder, dismissive and careless, but the “whatever” that embraces all.
Liberating Lord, you have given us freedom
To enjoy your world with all its beauty
And all its flavours.
As I savour my meals today,
Slow me down,
To enjoy your gifts of food and drink
With thanksgiving,
To taste and see that the Lord is good.
Challenging Lord, you leave no space
Where you are not;
For “the earth is the Lord’s
And everything in it” —
No place for false freedoms
To please myself
Editing You out of the conversation.
Loving Lord, you have placed us
in a moral maze
Where the politics of food intrudes
Upon us from plastic containers
To vegan philosophies
From the tragic generosity of food banks
To the regulations on food standards.
Guide us through the multiple choices
Of eating and drinking
With an eye for the good of others
Not only ourselves;
And with gratitude for your gifts
Never to be taken lightly –
Eating and drinking
All things, at all times, for your glory. AMEN.
Login to comment.