1 Corinthians 10:31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

Americans have very little intellectual or emotional connection to the idea of eating things that have been offered to idols, but in many Japanese homes, particularly nice foodstuffs, such as fruit, are often placed in front of the family Buddhist altar as offerings before they are eaten. It can be a little jarring to be invited to a home and take something as a “hostess gift,” only to see it immediately placed in front of the altar! That requires wisdom and sensitivity to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, because no two cases are identical. The guiding principle, however, is to be found in this verse. The thing is, we all too seldom think of giving glory to God in our daily lives, when that should be one of our primary motivations. When He so graciously created and sustains us, acknowledging Him would seem to be the least we could do! That’s why “saying grace” before a meal, even in very public situations, should be a firm practice. One of Norman Rockwell’s famous paintings is of two workmen-looking men in a diner looking on as a mother says grace with a young boy at a neighboring table. She gave them something to think about, even though it was probably completely automatic for her. We need to give the people around us things to think about as we acknowledge God “whether we eat or drink or whatever we do.”

I well remember one time when I was visiting someone and they took a large, beautiful apple from in front of their Buddhist altar, cut it up, and served it to me. Their daughter was already a Christian, and they eventually confessed Christ and were baptized, so my failure to say or do anything at that point wasn’t a tragedy, but I have wondered from time to time if I should have done things differently. I do know that I seek to make it clear that God is my Source in everything, and to be available whenever He opens the door for testimony or a direct presentation of the Gospel. I am very aware that over 95% of the people around me do not know God, and I seek to so live that He is indeed given the glory for all that He does for and through me.

Father, thank You for the privilege of being a witness for Christ by the power of Your Spirit. (Acts 1:8) May I be ever more effective in that, so that more and more people will recognize their own need for salvation and receive what You offer so freely, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!