Morning Devotional 080525 Give God the Glory

Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room

August 5, 2025

1 Corinthians 10:23-33

23 Everything is permitted, but everything isn’t beneficial. Everything is permitted, but everything doesn’t build others up. 24 No one should look out for their own advantage, but they should look out for each other. 25 Eat everything that is sold in the marketplace, without asking questions about it because of your conscience. 26 The earth and all that is in it belong to the Lord. 27 If an unbeliever invites you to eat with them and you want to go, eat whatever is served, without asking questions because of your conscience. 28 But if someone says to you, “This meat was sacrificed in a temple,” then don’t eat it for the sake of the one who told you and for the sake of conscience. 29 Now when I say “conscience” I don’t mean yours but the other person’s. Why should my freedom be judged by someone else’s conscience? 30 If I participate with gratitude, why should I be blamed for food I thank God for? 31 So, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, you should do it all for God’s glory. 32 Don’t offend either Jews or Greeks, or God’s church. 33 This is the same thing that I do. I please everyone in everything I do. I don’t look out for my own advantage, but I look out for many people so that they can be saved.

Good Morning! Do all you do for God’s glory!

This passage is part of a warning to the followers in Corinth who are continuing to worship idols while also following Christ. There was a lot of confusion among the Gentiles because some thought they needed to become like the Jews, and others thought Christianity was another passing fad from which they could pick and choose which parts they wanted to follow.

Today, many believe that the time for worshiping idols is ancient history. Most do not worship the “gods” of the ancient world, but many, maybe most, worship things beside God. In 2025, people worship money, status, beauty, and power. There are many other things, but these are the big 4. The problem with this occurs when these things become the center of our lives. When all of your decisions are made concerning meeting one of these goals, then you have turned from Christ and lost your way. 

As Christians, our focus is given by Jesus when he is asked what the greatest commandment is. Love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength; love your neighbor as yourself. To accomplish this means that you put the needs of others before your needs. 

31 So, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, you should do it all for God’s glory. 32 Don’t offend either Jews or Greeks, or God’s church. 33 This is the same thing that I do. I please everyone in everything I do. I don’t look out for my own advantage, but I look out for many people so that they can be saved.

When Christ gave his life, he didn’t do so for his benefit. Why would anyone purposely subject themselves to such things? Christ gave his life for us, so that we might be free from sin and be blessed with eternal life. We are called to be Christ to the world which means we are to look out for many people so that they can be saved. 

Giving Lord, you bless us abundantly! We scoff at those who worship other gods, but we, too, are prone to worshiping earthly symbols of status. Thank you for sending Jesus to save us. Thank you. We love you, Lord! In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen

Thought for the day: We are called to exemplify Christ for the world. 

Do all you do for God’s glory!  Pastor Liz