5/7/10 1 Corinthians 10-11
Consider Others
In these two chapters there are a host of verses that tell us that we need to consider others before ourselves.
Are my actions profitable toward others?
Are my actions edifying others?
1 Corinthians 10:23 All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify.
Are my actions giving unnecessary offense to any group?
1 Corinthians 10:32 Give no offense either to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God;
Are my actions, within the bounds of God’s word, pleasing to men?
Are my actions evidence that I am looking out for number one?
1 Corinthians 10:33 just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit but the profit of the many, so that they may be saved.
Are my actions challenging or abusing authority?
1 Corinthians 11:11–12 However, in the Lord, neither is woman independent of man, nor is man independent of woman.12For as the woman originates from the man, so also the man has his birth through the woman; and all things originate from God.
Are my actions contentious with others?
1 Corinthians 11:16 But if one is inclined to be contentious, we have no other practice, nor have the churches of God.
Are my actions displaying selfishness on my part?
1 Corinthians 11:21 for in your eating each one takes his own supper first; and one is hungry and another is drunk.
Are my actions belittling the poor or lowly?
1 Corinthians 11:22 What! Do you not have houses in which to eat and drink? Or do you despise the church of God and shame those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you? In this I will not praise you.
I think this list is enough to keep us busy on obeying the second commandment. Mark 12:31 “The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” When we break this commandment we are guilty of the first also, because we have attributed worth that results in worship in the wrong place; ourselves. The nation of Israel under Moses’ leadership serves as a good example which is mentioned at the beginning of chapter 10.
Take time with these questions do not simply read them and move on. Think about those around you that you interact with everyday. Many times when give ourselves a passing grade on these types of questions because we are evaluating our conduct with strangers or simply acquaintances rather than those who are intimately involved with on a day to day basis. Think spouses, children, grandchildren, co-workers, customers, relatives, students, teachers, or fellow church members for starters.
Prayer: God forgive my selfish ways. I desire to be a servant for you and to others. There are too many times that I have my own will and my own agenda at the expense of others. Give me the necessary grace to consider my thoughts before they become actions that will detract from your greatness. I need you every moment to guide and direct me, in Jesus name. Amen.