Be Grateful

For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude; for it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer. - 1 Timothy 4:4-5

Context, in biblical study and life, is always important. For example, it would be easy to take Paul's words to Timothy above out of their context and use them to justify the use or abuse of many things. Common sense even tells us that illegal drugs and strong drink are not sanctified by the word of God and by prayer!

In this context, Paul is speaking of those foods that had been deemed "illegal" by the Judaizers (so-called Christians who still believed a person had to keep the Old Testament law in order to be redeemed), but obviously good for nutrition and enjoyment. In Paul's mind, food was food and though he treated this subject more thoroughly in his letter to the church at Corinth, the point is well-made.

We should enjoy all that God has made and always do our best to receive it with proper homage to the Provider. If not, such gifts are neither good nor sanctified. Let us learn to always be grateful.

The secret of contentment is the realization that life is a gift, not a right. - Unknown