Or Could It?
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, 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. (1 Corinthians 10.31-33)
Have you ever done or said anything that seemed innocent at the time, but had a negative effect on those around you? Paul, in 1 Corinthians 10, urges us to consider the impact our choices have on others.
The issue for the Corinthians was eating meat that had been offered to idols. There was nothing in the meat itself that was dangerous. After all, the idol to whom it had been offered was powerless and empty. Paul knew, in today's slang, "That idol couldn’t hurt a flea!"
Or could it?
Eating meat was a part of the ancients’ worship rituals, and even if I don’t worship when I eat it, someone else might. For they may see me doing so and think that I – a Christian – worship both Christ and the idol. And they may then conclude that it is OK to worship both Christ and an idol, putting other gods alongside Christ. Eventually, they may even put another god ahead of Christ. In that case, someone is hurt!
That’s why I don’t drink alcohol. No, the Bible doesn’t say that taking a drink is a sin that will consign me to hell, but someone who sees me taking a drink may conclude that drinking is OK. Perhaps that someone is my grandchild or a recovering alcoholic. That someone may then begin to experiment with drinking and then move to drugs and then get addicted. The life of my “weak” grandchild or the “weak” alcoholic could be destroyed by my insensitive pleasure.
Everything we do has an impact on those around us. Let’s do what leads to the “advantage … of many, that they may be saved.”
Lord, it is my desire to do all to your glory. Since you receive glory when others are saved, help me to do things that lead to salvation. In Jesus' name, amen.