May 5. 1 Corinthians 8. Jay Masse

Good Food

I am weak when it comes to food. I am currently watching what I eat to lose weight. If I see it and it looks good, smells good or even someone says “it’s good”, I forget about losing weight and I eat it. It may be loaded with calories, fat or simple carbs and I have no clue. If I’m the one cooking the food, I prepare it so that I know the calories and nutritional information.

This chapter talks about having knowledge while others don’t. During this time, sacrifices to idols were everywhere and the custom was to ingest it to draw closer to or be blessed by the idol! This caused many to falter with their belief that they were still serving the idols. They felt like they betrayed God and are now filthy before the cross again. The one’s that understood that food sacrificed to the idols was just food. We are not saved by food and idols are not real. So the food is just that, food.

I was told one time that if you are the only one with the knowledge then you are the single point of failure if you don’t share it. Also, to train others to do your job and learn the job of the one above you. I see this as a disciples’ life. We reach out to others and share Jesus’ life with them. We focus and learn from Jesus’ life to guide us. If we know something that is beneficial then share it. By not sharing your knowledge you are not shining the light of Jesus and may cause others to struggle.

Food is good! Sharing knowledge is good! But knowledge that puffs us up or puts others down is not good. I know that I never want my church family to feel off, depressed, or down on themselves because of something that I may be doing. How willing are you to NOT cause your “family” to sin or struggle? Paul was so convicted that he would never eat meat again.