Not Looking to Your Own Interests

Meditations in First Corinthians 

May 20, 2022

Not Looking to Your Own Interests

But you must be careful so that your freedom does not cause others with a weaker conscience to stumble.

1 Corinthians 8:9

Read: 1 Corinthians 8: 7-13

Paul goes into detail to show how his response to the issue of eating meat dedicated to idols was far from simplistic. To fully appreciate Paul’s answer, I find it helpful to remember what he wrote to the church in Philippi:

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. (Philippians 2:3-4 NRSV)

As you read today’s passage, especially verses 9-13, look for examples of how Paul is encouraging the Corinthians to not look to their own interest, but to the interests of others. This is the fulfillment of Godly love we will see in 1 Corinthians 13. This lifestyle Paul is pointing to is best modeled by the Samaritan in the parable Jesus told in Luke 10: 30-37. Take a minute, and reread this story that Jesus told.

My Takeaway: Yet again, another point for meditation. Is there evidence in my life that I put the interests of others ahead of my own interests?

Sē’lah

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(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2022 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.