Reflections with Andy - 1 Corinthians 10: 23 – 11: 1- All Things for God’s Glory
There is no division of God’s stuff and our stuff. All stuff is God’s stuff. All things are done for God’s glory!
In today’s episode of Reflections with Andy, we explore 1 Corinthians 10:23–11:1 and Paul’s reminder that Christian freedom is always guided by love. While we may have the freedom to do many things, our first calling is to seek the good of others and to live in a way that points people toward Christ. Ultimately, Paul reminds us that every part of life—from our work and relationships to the ordinary routines of each day—belongs to God. Whatever we do, we are called to do it all for His glory, making our entire lives an act of worship.
Join us for our daily reflections. In 10 short minutes, we’ll dig a little deeper into Scripture and help us better understand God’s Word.
You can read today’s passage here.
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Good morning! It’s good to be with you on this Thursday morning. I hope you’re doing well.
If you’re watching on video through Facebook or social media, you’ll notice I’m wearing my new Starkville High School Yellow Jackets hat. I was fortunate enough to meet some of the coaches yesterday and support Starkville High. Today our staff is heading over to Starkville Academy to hand out popsicles to the band. People always ask me, “What’s your favorite team?” I always tell them my favorite team is the fighting clarinets and the fighting trombones.
I’m thankful that our church, Starkville First United Methodist Church, has the opportunity to support all of our local schools. We’ll also be serving the Famous Maroon Band at Mississippi State later this month. It’s a blessing to be part of a church that loves and serves our community so well.
Today we’re going to finish 1 Corinthians chapter 10 and read through the first verse of chapter 11.
“All things are lawful,” but not all things are beneficial. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. Do not seek your own advantage but that of the other. Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience, for “the earth and its fullness are the Lord’s.” If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you are disposed to go, eat whatever is set before you without raising any question on the ground of conscience. But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, out of consideration for the one who informed you and for the sake of conscience—I mean the other’s conscience, not your own. For why should my liberty be subject to the judgment of someone else’s conscience? If I partake with thankfulness, why should I be denounced because of that for which I give thanks?
So, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do everything for 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, so that they may be saved. Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
One of the themes Paul keeps returning to is that while Christians have freedom, we are never called to use that freedom selfishly. Our freedom is always shaped by love.
He gives a practical example. If you’re invited into someone’s home for a meal, simply receive their hospitality with gratitude. Be a gracious guest. I always think of the old missionary prayer: “Lord, if I can get it down, You keep it down.”
But then Paul says that if someone specifically tells you the food has been sacrificed to idols, don’t eat it—not because the food itself is sinful, but because of the conscience of the other person. Throughout this passage Paul consistently calls us to think first about our neighbor rather than ourselves.
As Christians, our first question shouldn’t be, “What are my rights?” Instead, it should be, “How can I best love the person in front of me?”
Paul also reminds us that “the earth and its fullness are the Lord’s.” That’s an important truth because we often divide life into sacred things and ordinary things. We think Sunday morning belongs to God, while the rest of the week belongs to us. We think church work is spiritual, while our jobs, chores, and hobbies are somehow less important.
Paul refuses to make that distinction.
Everything belongs to God.
Every hour is God’s hour.
Every resource is God’s resource.
Every good gift comes from Him.
Then Paul gives us one of the great summary verses of the Christian life:
“Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.”
That means your work can glorify God.
Your conversations can glorify God.
The way you care for your family can glorify God.
The way you mow your yard, treat a cashier, answer an email, study for a test, or coach a little league team can all glorify God.
There is no sacred versus secular when your life belongs to Christ. Every part of life becomes an act of worship.
I often think of Colossians 3:17:
“Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus.”
That’s Paul’s point here as well.
Our purpose isn’t simply to avoid doing wrong. Our purpose is to live in such a way that every part of our lives points people toward Jesus.
Notice how Paul ends the chapter:
“...not seeking my own advantage but that of many, so that they may be saved.”
That’s our calling.
We love others.
We serve others.
We work with excellence.
We show kindness.
We live faithfully.
And we do it all for God’s glory, so that others may come to know the saving grace of Jesus Christ.
So wherever you find yourself today—in the office, at home, in the classroom, on the road, or simply checking off your to-do list—remember that today is holy because today belongs to God.
Do everything you do for His glory.
Thanks for being with me today. Tomorrow we’ll begin chapter 11 together.
Have a wonderful day, and I’ll see you then.