“Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (I Corinthians 10:31)

In the book of I Corinthians, the Apostle Paul shares several “nuggets” of truth which can help us in our decision-making.  One of is found in 9:23, “I do all things for the sake of the gospel”, and another in 10:24 “Let no one seek his own good, but that of his neighbor. Applying these verses to our situations can help us to make godly decisions: we should consider the impact of our decisions on others (see devotion on 10:24 here), and on the witness of the gospel (see devotion on 9:23 here).  In the present verse (10:31) we find another consideration: the glory of God.

Paul writes, “Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”  Again, Paul was writing initially in the context of whether the Corinthians should eat meat sacrificed to idols.  He reminded them in these verses that their own feelings, or preferences, or desires, were NOT to be their sole consideration. They needed to think about what impact their decision would have on others, and on the gospel.  Here he shares a third consideration: that everthing they do is to be done for the glory of God.

Contrary to popular opinion, we are not here to please ourselves. As I Corinthians 8:6 says earlier, “We exist for Him.”  God created us and placed us here on earth to glorify Him. So this becomes a final piece of what may be considered as a “decision-making matrix.”  Should you make a certain decision?  Should you engage in a certan activity?  Consider not just what might be “good” for you, but how your decision will impact others, affect your witness for the gospel — and then finally how, or if, it will glorify God.  After you have prayerfully run it through that matrix, you will most likely have a good sense as to what your decision should be.