Categories of Stewardship - Our Body
Our Body: In the secular world, most people regard their bodies as their own property. They believe they have total
say over what happens to it. This applies not only to vast numbers of women who claim that they should be free to decide whether or not they will have an abortion but also to all who feel they have the right to harm their bodies by the use of illegal substances or by eating large quantities of junk food or by having sexual relationships with as many partners as they choose.
In stark contrast, 1 Corinthians 6:19, 20 says clearly, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.”
The immediate context indicates that the apostle Paul was, in particular, referring to the abuse of our body through sexual immorality. Unfortunately, this is as relevant today in many parts of the world as it was in ancient Corinth, a city known for its perversities. But the basic idea is that we should not “sin against our body,” because we are not our own. First, we have been created by God through Jesus Christ. He is our Maker, and we therefore are responsible to Him for all we do. Second, He is our Redeemer, the One who has bought us “at a price.”
Stewardship of our bodies implies taking good care of our health, too. It has to do not only with what we eat but also with the amount of rest we take and with keeping fit through adequate exercise. And there can be no question of using substances that are addictive or otherwise harmful.
Yet, again, there is need for balance. “Health itself is not to be a preoccupation. It should be a part of the Christian pattern of life and rather automatic in operation. An overriding preoccupation with health can be a form of idolatry that gets in the way of a satisfying relationship with God. Health is to enable service to God, but is not an end in itself.” (Van Dolson and Spangler, p. 43, emphasis added)
Idolatry! That’s strong, but it’s clear that Jesus did not travel around Galilee worrying about His health, what to eat, where to get it, how much to pay for it, etc. he hardly even said anything about the subject except to make people well and whole, warn them not to sin again (which may indicate they had made some unhealthy choices), and—notice—tell us in the sermon on the mount not to worry about our food! Did He eat? Yep. Enough that people called Him a party animal. Was it locally grown and organic? Yes again. That was all that was available at the time. Was it vegan? Sorry, no, it was not even vegetarian. We know for certain that Jesus ate fish, and can assume He ate lamb at Passover if not other times.
Yes, it’s a different world. Yes, we have to be concerned with things Jesus didn’t. But let’s not get idolatrous about it, let alone judgmental of others. (continued)
say over what happens to it. This applies not only to vast numbers of women who claim that they should be free to decide whether or not they will have an abortion but also to all who feel they have the right to harm their bodies by the use of illegal substances or by eating large quantities of junk food or by having sexual relationships with as many partners as they choose.
In stark contrast, 1 Corinthians 6:19, 20 says clearly, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.”
The immediate context indicates that the apostle Paul was, in particular, referring to the abuse of our body through sexual immorality. Unfortunately, this is as relevant today in many parts of the world as it was in ancient Corinth, a city known for its perversities. But the basic idea is that we should not “sin against our body,” because we are not our own. First, we have been created by God through Jesus Christ. He is our Maker, and we therefore are responsible to Him for all we do. Second, He is our Redeemer, the One who has bought us “at a price.”
Stewardship of our bodies implies taking good care of our health, too. It has to do not only with what we eat but also with the amount of rest we take and with keeping fit through adequate exercise. And there can be no question of using substances that are addictive or otherwise harmful.
Yet, again, there is need for balance. “Health itself is not to be a preoccupation. It should be a part of the Christian pattern of life and rather automatic in operation. An overriding preoccupation with health can be a form of idolatry that gets in the way of a satisfying relationship with God. Health is to enable service to God, but is not an end in itself.” (Van Dolson and Spangler, p. 43, emphasis added)
Idolatry! That’s strong, but it’s clear that Jesus did not travel around Galilee worrying about His health, what to eat, where to get it, how much to pay for it, etc. he hardly even said anything about the subject except to make people well and whole, warn them not to sin again (which may indicate they had made some unhealthy choices), and—notice—tell us in the sermon on the mount not to worry about our food! Did He eat? Yep. Enough that people called Him a party animal. Was it locally grown and organic? Yes again. That was all that was available at the time. Was it vegan? Sorry, no, it was not even vegetarian. We know for certain that Jesus ate fish, and can assume He ate lamb at Passover if not other times.
Yes, it’s a different world. Yes, we have to be concerned with things Jesus didn’t. But let’s not get idolatrous about it, let alone judgmental of others. (continued)
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