10-04-19

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS

October 4, 2019

Scripture: 1st Corinthians 10:31

So, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, you should do it all for God’s glory.

Thought for the Day: I remember a professor who had in his office a quote from Woodrow Wilson. It read:

You are not here merely to make a living. You are here in order to enable the world to live more amply, with greater vision, with a finer spirit of hope and achievement. You are here to enrich the world, and you impoverish yourself if you forget the errand.

I am struck by the word, “impoverish,” as it is the very thing we try to avoid. We do not wish to experience poverty of any sort, so we try to build up our resources and security. Yet so often it is at the expense of what is really important in life. We might look rich according to our bank account, but we are still impoverished in regard to our humanity.

Paul encouraged his readers in Corinth to live faithfully, but to also be mindful of the needs of others. Should we eat food dedicated to the Roman gods? On one level, this is a no brainer for Paul because there are no other gods. We shouldn’t be concerned about something dedicated to nothing. But what about those people who are struggling in the faith, and this could be upsetting or challenging to them? Do we simply call out their nonsense and dismiss their current place along the faith journey? Absolutely not! Everything should be done for the glory of God, and thus we must live our lives with other people in mind. I may need to give up some small piece of my freedom in the short term, but in doing so, I will find my life enriched in the end. As Wilson suggested, “You are here to enrich the world…,” and I can only assume that doesn’t mean the same as enriching myself at the expense of others.

Prayer: Let the things I choose be done with respect for who people are and where they are. I need your help, Merciful God, for too often I use selfishness as my starting place. Amen.

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