“Apr 25, 2024 - Seek the Good of Your Neighbor”

Wednesday, April 24, 2024

Seek the Good of Your Neighbor

Reading:  1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1
    
    Paul finally gives the Corinthians some practical advice about whether to eat food offered to idols.  “Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience.  For ‘the earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof’”(1 Cor 10:25-26).  Animals used in pagan sacrifices were often then sold in the regular markets.  Paul wants them to just eat it, aware that all animals belong to God, not pagan gods.  Then he discusses a specific scenario:  an unbeliever invites you over and feeds you meat.  Again, he tells them to eat without concern (1 Cor 10:27).  But if the unbeliever tells you it comes from pagan worship, do not eat it for their sake.  Paul does not want unbelievers thinking that Christians have no problems with idols.  

    So should Christians eat this food?  Paul’s answer:  it depends.  This lack of clarity does not come from uncertainty, but concern for others.  “‘All things are lawful,’ but not all things are helpful.  ‘All things are lawful,’ but not all things build up.  Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor”(1 Cor 10:23-24).  The Corinthians have their catchy slogans (“all things are lawful”), but their slogans are only concerned about themselves and their own rights.  Paul has a different focus:  how will this impact others?  Will it be to the glory of God (1 Cor 10:31)?  Rather than insisting on our own rights, Paul wants the Corinthians to “give no offense” to others “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.  Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ”(1 Cor 10:32-11:1).  This is the way of Jesus.

    We tend strongly toward selfishness.  This does not necessarily change when we become Christians.  We can become preoccupied with our own rights, opinions, and beliefs and ignore our impact on others.  But what if my rights push unbelievers away?  What if my rights encourage weak brothers to violate their conscience?  “Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.”  This is the way of Jesus.

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One Thing to Think About:  What kind of impact am I having on the people around me?

One Thing to Pray For:  The humility to change my behavior to bless others
 

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