{"id":589,"date":"2020-02-20T17:54:32","date_gmt":"2020-02-20T23:54:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/reconciledworld.org\/flourish\/?p=589"},"modified":"2020-02-19T15:08:29","modified_gmt":"2020-02-19T21:08:29","slug":"does-what-i-eat-matter-to-god","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/reconciledworld.org\/flourish\/does-what-i-eat-matter-to-god\/","title":{"rendered":"Does What I Eat Matter to God?"},"content":{"rendered":"

I love to eat. I often say that meals are my favorite time of the day. Really it doesn\u2019t matter the cuisine, type, or amount of food I am served, I typically enjoy it. With that said, I have spent very little time throughout my life reflecting on whether <\/span>what<\/span><\/i> I eat matters to God. Sure, I know that gluttony is wrong, and I know that healthy eating is important, but I haven\u2019t really spent much time thinking about food any more deeply than that.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If I\u2019m honest it is partly because, for most of my life, I have been blessed to live with a super metabolism that allows me to eat about anything and still look slim and healthy. Fried food, yup. Cookies and cake, yup. Extra portion of mutton korma…yup! If it tastes good, I eat it until it\u2019s gone or I\u2019m full.<\/span><\/p>\n

But recently, after a visit to McDonalds and a quarter pounder, fries, and an apple pie, the thought entered my mind, \u201cDoes what I eat matter to God?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I know the verse in 1 Corinthians 10:41 that says: \u201c<\/span>So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.<\/span><\/i>\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

And of course the words of Genesis 9, which say: \u201c<\/span>Everything that lives and moves about will be food for you.<\/span><\/i>\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Finally, 1 Timothy 4:4: \u201c<\/span>For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving.<\/span><\/i>\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

So, thank you Lord for this third piece of pie\u2026 now let\u2019s dig in!<\/span><\/p>\n

But does what I <\/span>actually eat<\/span><\/i> matter to God? I think it does, and here\u2019s why.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

To begin I want to create a foundation for our understanding.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Our Bodies belong to God<\/h4>\n

In 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 Paul talks about not allowing our bodies to become slaves to anything. In this passage he is not only talking about sexual immorality, but also lust for food.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>But I will not be mastered by anything. Food for the stomach and the stomach for the food.<\/span><\/i>\u201d (v.12-13)\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The point that Paul desires to make here in this passage is that our bodies belong to God and we are commanded to steward them for God\u2019s glory. <\/span>Our bodies are an important aspect of being created in the image of God, and we should use our bodies to honor God. This means that we should practice healthy eating habits, drink more water, and exercise regularly, etc. to keep our temple (v.19) in the best shape we can.<\/span>[1]<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/sup><\/span><\/p>\n

Eating for the Right Reasons<\/h4>\n

However, It is not for appearance, image, or appeal that we monitor what we eat. In our world today it is easy to become captivated with diets, fitness, and healthy eating habits for the wrong reasons. We can do good things for the wrong reasons.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

God created our bodies with a specific purpose and design. Thus, our reason for eating moderately and with control is not for superficial reasons but for Godly reasons. Not only does eating healthy prove to give us more energy, increase our mood, and strengthen our bones and teeth,<\/span>[2]<\/span><\/sup><\/span> but it is also a healthy witness of our faith. Acts 1:8 talks about being a witness to others. When we care for our bodily temples and live with healthy restraint, we are modeling for others the importance of caring for what God has given us. If our purpose in life is to glorify God (Isaiah 43:21), then certainly what we eat and how we steward our bodily temples is central to that.<\/span>[3]<\/span><\/sup><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Seeing food the Right Way<\/h4>\n

\u201cFood is a gift. In fact, food is the <\/span>first<\/span><\/i> gift. In one entirely accurate sense, all things from God’s good hands are gifts, but I think food is somehow unique. Open a Bible to Genesis 1 and look at what God does in the creation story. More specifically, look at the verbs: God <\/span>creates<\/span><\/i>, he <\/span>hovers<\/span><\/i>, he <\/span>says<\/span><\/i>, he <\/span>names<\/span><\/i>, he <\/span>separates<\/span><\/i>, he <\/span>makes<\/span><\/i> and <\/span>blesses<\/span><\/i> and <\/span>sees<\/span><\/i> and <\/span>declares<\/span><\/i> it good. But it isn’t until the end of the chapter, in verse 29, that he <\/span>gives<\/span><\/i>. And what does he give? Food.\u201d<\/span>[4]<\/span><\/sup><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“Behold,” God says, “<\/span>I have given you every plant and every tree. You shall have them for food.<\/span><\/i>“<\/span><\/p>\n

Food as a gift is a tangible expression of God\u2019s love. It\u2019s like \u201cGod\u2019s love made edible.\u201d (quote by Norman Wirzba)<\/span>[4]<\/span><\/sup><\/span>. Food is given to us by God, to sustain us and show His love. It is an unearned gift given by a loving and grace filled God.<\/span>[4]<\/span><\/sup><\/span><\/p>\n

With all of that said, does what I eat matter to God?<\/span><\/p>\n

Glorifying God in your eating<\/h4>\n

There is nothing in my life that God doesn\u2019t care about. He cares about my relationships, my decisions, my parenting, my testimony, and so forth. So, of course God cares about my eating. Not in a \u201clooking over my shoulder ready to smack my hand when I reach for another scone\u201d type of way, but in a loving, \u201cI have provided this for you and for your good health and My glory\u201d type of way.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God\u201d <\/span><\/i>(1 Corinthians 10:31).<\/span><\/p>\n

Our food choices are really more about a relationship with Him, than about anything else. Because food is a gift, how we respond is important. How I respond to a gift is an indication of how I feel about the giver. If the amount or type of food I am eating abuses His gift of grace, then maybe I need to rethink it. If I eat with little or no consideration for the impact it will have on my energy, health, and mood, then maybe I need to rethink things. As we treat our bodies with respect and care, we honor God and the relationship he has extended to us.<\/span>[4]<\/span><\/sup><\/span><\/p>\n

Eat with Grace and Gratitude<\/h4>\n

Does what I eat matter to God? Yes. Because I matter to God, my health matters to God, my motivations matter to God, and my relationship with His gifts matter to God.<\/span><\/p>\n

May our lives as ministry leaders and what and how much we eat be a reflection of His goodness and our passion for His glory. Friends, \u201c<\/span>Taste and see that the Lord is good<\/span><\/i>\u201d (Psalm 34:8). In doing so, give Him thanks for His grace and goodness and enjoy His beautiful gift with joy, gratitude, and self-control.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>

\n

Growth Point<\/span>:<\/span><\/h4>\n

God is glorified as we steward our bodies through healthy eating and giving gratitude to God for the gift of food.<\/span><\/p>\n

Scripture Point<\/span>:<\/span><\/h4>\n

Read 1 Corinthians 9:27. How does this verse connect to our stewardship of healthy eating?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Action Point:<\/span><\/h4>\n

Examine your diet and eating habits this week. How are you giving God thanks for the gift of food? Are there ways you feel you should change your eating habits to better steward your health? Take 30 minutes to write out a menu of healthy foods that fit your needs, time, and desire to honor God.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>

<\/div><\/div><\/div>
[1] https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/wellness\/health\/why-eating-right-and-exercising-glorifies-god.aspx<\/a><\/span><\/h6>\n
[2] <\/span>https:\/\/www.medicalnewstoday.com\/articles\/322268#strong-bones-and-teeth<\/span><\/a><\/h6>\n
[3] <\/span>https:\/\/www.faithandhealthconnection.org\/5-reasons-why-god-wants-us-healthy-well-and-fit\/<\/span><\/a><\/h6>\n
[4] https:\/\/www.christianitytoday.com\/thisisourcity\/7thcity\/digesting-grace.html?start=2<\/a><\/span><\/h6>\n<\/div>
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