“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31, KJV)
I heard a story once about an old accountant whose work was absolutely impeccable. He was retiring after a lifetime of keeping the books for his company. Others in the company wanted to know how, without the aid computer software he could keep everything so perfect in his accounting practice. He never made a mistake. In an effort to determine the secret, they asked him how he did it. His answer went like this.
“I always kept this principle when recording. Enter the credits towards the door and the debits towards the window.” It was a simple solution to what seemed to many as a complex problem.
In the previous verses, Paul discussed the question of liberties in the Christian life and the issues of conscience. He wrote of the problem that some where having with meat that was sacrificed to idols and sold in the market place. His point was that idols were nothing and thus, meat was not changed by sacrificing it to an idol. The meat was still meat and the believer could partake of such meat without regards to conscience. However, the believer was to limit the use of his liberties if it would cause another to violate his or her own conscience. In other words, it was the responsibility of the believer to consider his or her actions as it influenced others who may view things differently.
Yet, here in this verse, we have the greatest of principles when it comes to making decisions regarding things that are not specifically spelled out in the Scriptures as right or wrong. It has to do with our actions. Will our actions bring glory to God?
In the Westminster Shorter Catechism, the very first question is, “What is the chief end of man?” The answer, “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and worship him forever.”
Paul rightfully takes this key and simple principle of giving glory to God beyond the issue of food and drink to every possible area of life. When we engage in sports, do our actions glorify God? When we work, do our actions glorify God? When we drive our car to and from, does our driving glorify God? (Yes, I know that one is especially convicting.) Do our relationships glorify God? Does what we watch glorify God? Is my influence on others one that will glorify God? These and many others are great questions.
Analyze the things you do in life. In everything you do is it to the glory of God? Realize that this is our chief aim. For God is worthy.
“For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.” (Romans 11:36, KJV)
Renewing the Heart 