1 Corinthians 10:31

The world around us tells us to think about ourselves first. We need to do things that feel good for ourselves. We need to look after ourselves first. But is this what God teaches us? No! 1 Corinthians 10:31 tells us to do all things to God’s glory. That is our purpose on earth: to praise and glorify God.

So how exactly can you glorify God? What does it mean to give God glory?

By having faith, we glorify God. When we believe in God, when we love him, when we trust his promises to us, then we are giving God glory. God is praised in the faith that we have.

God also receives glory when we worship him. Actually, this is probably the most important way to glorify God. Yes, God loves to hear us sings praises to him, to worship him in church, to thank him for his blessings. He loves it when we take time to read his Word, and when we pray to him. We can glorify God when we put time aside to worship him.

God is also glorified when we obey him in our everyday tasks. God is glorified in what we do and in how we do it.

The Corinthians weren’t really doing this. They were focusing on their own glory. Paul gives an example. Some people, knowing that idols weren’t real anyway, wanted to eat meat that had been offered to idols. And Paul agrees with them that they are allowed to eat that meat. But Paul also tells them that if someone doesn’t want them to eat the meat offered to idols, then out of love for and kindness to the other person, they shouldn’t eat it. By sticking to their own rights and saying, “I’m going to eat it anyway, just because I can,” they were not showing glory to God. They were thinking of themselves.

So, as you do different things during the day, act in a selfless, kind and loving way. Don’t try to get praise for yourself, but think about others, even giving things up for them. Then you are bringing glory to God!

Reflection with your child:

How can you give God glory?