Is Eating Spiritual?

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10 (Today's sermon is taken from verse 31)

Sermon preached at Gospel Light Christian Church, Singapore
on 16 August 1998

Introduction: Most people think that the purpose of religion is to lead men to God. But the Bible tells us that the purpose of religion is to keep God away from man (Romans 3:11, 12). Men build places of worship and place their "gods" there. They appoint set times to worship them and pay the priests to deal with their "gods" on their behalf. By doing these things, they hope to appease their consciences' need to worship while at the same time satisfying their desire to be free to indulge in their lusts. This desire to separate God from man's daily lives has led to the formation of religious orders of people (e.g. monks, nuns, holy men) who shun life's daily chores to concentrate on "spiritual practices" (e.g. fasting, chanting, meditating).

This practice of placing "spiritual" activities above "secular" activities is hated by God (Revelation 2:6, 15 "Nicolaitanes…which I hate"). "Nikao" means "over", "laitanes" means "laymen". Nicolaitanes are those who believe that "spiritual work" is superior to "secular work". God tells us "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31). In other words, every legitimate activity that we do, however small and mundane are an opportunity to glorify God - which is the most spiritual work of men and angels.

This principle is one of the great principles of practical Christian living. It is the foundational doctrine of the Protestant Christian work ethic that built the great European nations of the Reformation and the mighty nation of America. It is the doctrine that makes Christians sought after as model employees.

Whatsoever ye do: Every legitimate activity, including the simple and mundane activities of eating and drinking, is given by God to us to glorify Him. Therefore, no activity is secular if it is done to glorify God. The most mundane activity can be very secular if the motive is to glorify self.

Using the analogy of a diamond in a box, the actual activity that a man does is just the "box". The motive is the "diamond". Whatsoever calling (or vocation) that God has called us to (e.g. homemaker, pastor, road-sweeper, lawyer or student) is all equal in His sight. Therefore, there is no need to be ashamed or frustrated of where God has placed us. We should only be ashamed if we fail to use our vocation to glorify God.

A Christian who will glorify God in a mundane activity (where there is little or no recognition from men) will also glorify God in a highly visible spiritual activity (Luke 16:10 "He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in that which is much"). But he that will not glorify God in a mundane activity (because there is little recognition for such effort) will also not glorify God in a visible spiritual activity (but will use it to glorify self).

Glory of God: It is only reasonable that we should glorify God because He, above all else, is worthy to be glorified. We should glorify Him, and not ourselves, because He made us (1 Corinthians 4:7 "what hast thou that thou didst not receive?"). We should glorify Him because He saved us by His great love (1 Corinthians 6:20 "For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's"). We glorify God by declaring His glorious attributes (e.g. His love, holiness, power, wisdom, mercy, patience, faithfulness etc.), His goodness unto us (especially in His marvelous salvation), His sovereignty over us, His ownership of us etc. For example, when we eat, we thank God for His provision. We eat to strengthen our bodies to serve Him more effectively. We eat moderately to save money for the furtherance of His ministries and we eat socially to make opportunities to encourage brethren and to share the Gospel with others.

The main motive of most people whenever they do something is to sanctify their lusts. Those who are nobler claimed their motive is to help others. But the main motive for all things that God has created, inanimate or animate, on earth or in heaven, is to glorify Him (Romans 11:36 "For of him, and through Him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever").

Benefit of men: Though most of the things we do daily are monotonous, trivial, mundane activities, this doctrine changes everything into something meaningful and fruitful. Therefore, Christians should take pride in their work, find meaning in their work, do it zealously, happily and expectantly. Work satisfaction and productivity will naturally increase. Countries that have a Protestant Christian work ethic have the highest productivities in the world. There is no work more satisfying than work done for God. There is no greater peace than doing His work because we know that He will be with us to help us. Christians will also do all things honestly because they are done for God's glory and not for mere profit. Countries that have a Protestant work ethic also have the lowest levels of corruption. These are also the countries where democracy flourishes, because while democracy offers greater liberties, it also requires greater self-control over selfish lusts. When people do things for God's glory rather than for self, courtesy, kindness and philanthropic works increase. Churches whose members do all things for God's glory will not lack willing, zealous and faithful workers in every ministry (even the unglamorous, tedious and difficult ones). Practising this doctrine will make us all better and happier students, parents, workers and citizens.

Conclusion: The chief end of man is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.