Oct. 30

Read 1 Corinthians 8

^11-13Christ gave up his life for that person. Wouldn't you at least be willing to give up going to dinner for him—because, as you say, it doesn't really make any difference? But it does make a difference if you hurt your friend terribly, risking his eternal ruin! When you hurt your friend, you hurt Christ. A free meal here and there isn't worth it at the cost of even one of these "weak ones." So, never go to these idol-tainted meals if there's any chance it will trip up one of your brothers or sisters. (The Message)

Don't ask me to make sacrifices!
It is a phrase communicated in so many ways on a daily basis in our world. We want things to be better for ourselves and others but we don't want to have to give up anything that we already have. We believe that others should sacrifice but not us or we believe that it really is possible for everyone to have everything. So when Paul asks us if maybe we should be willing to make a sacrifice for the sake of a brother or sister in faith it often times falls on deaf ears. In this case Paul is referring to eating a meal that might make someone question their own salvation but the example could move well beyond a meal into so many other areas of our lives. We have begun to think that it just isn't right to make a sacrifice anymore. We have decided that if others suffer then that is their problem and not our own. But Paul says that we should care about what others think as well as what others need.
It could well be time when the followers of Jesus need to begin asking what they can sacrifice for the sake of others and then willingly embrace that sacrifice for the sake of those who are far from God.

Some thoughts to ponder and share with others:

• Why do you think Paul appeals to the Corinthians friendships as a reason for making sacrifices?
• What was the last thing you did that was really a sacrifice for someone else?
• Why do you think people in the United States don't want to be told that they must make sacrifices?
• What might you begin doing today to make it easier for you to make sacrifices for others on a regular basis?