When persons are convinced that life is short, that it is unequal to any great purpose, that it does not display adequately or bring to perfection the true Christian, when they feel that the next life is all in all and that eternity is the only subject that really can claim or can fill their thoughts, then they are apt to undervalue this life altogether and to forget its real importance; they are apt to wish to spend the time of their sojourning here in a positive separation from active and social duties. Yet it should be recollected that the employments of this world, though not in themselves heavenly, are, after all, the way to heaven, though not the fruit, are the seed of immortality, and are valuable, though not in themselves, yet for that to which they lead; but it is difficult to realise this. It is difficult to realise both truths at once, and to connect both truths together; steadily to contemplate the life to come, yet to act in this. Those who meditate are likely to neglect those active duties which are in fact incumbent on them, and to dwell upon the thought of God's glory till they forget to act to His glory. This state of mind is chided in figure in the words of the holy angels to the apostles, when they say, "Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven?"
I. "Do all to the glory of God," says St. Paul in the text; nay, "whether we eat or drink," so that it appears nothing is too slight or trivial to glorify Him in. The true penitent will say to himself, "If mine be an irksome employment, so much the more does it suit me.I deserve no better. I will take this light inconvenience in a generous way, pleased at the opportunity of disciplining myself, and with self-abasement as needing a severe penitence."
II. A second reason which will animate the Christian will be a desire of letting his light shine before men. He will aim at winning others by his own diligence and activity. He will say to himself, "My parents, or my master, or employer shall never say of me, Religion has spoiled him. They shall see me more active and alive than before. I will be punctual and attentive, and adorn the gospel of God our Saviour."
III. Thankfulness to Almighty God, nay, and the inward life of the Spirit itself, will be additional principles causing the Christian to labour diligently in his calling. He will see God in all things. He will recollect our Saviour's life. He will feel that the true contemplation of his Saviour lies inhis worldly business; that in attending to his own calling he will be meeting Christ; that if he neglect it, he will not on that account enjoy His presence all the more, but that while performing it he will see Christ revealed to his soul amid the ordinary actions of the day as by a sort of sacrament. Thus he will take his worldly business as a gift from Him, and will love it as such.
IV. True humility is another principle which will lead us to desire to glorify God in our worldly employments if possible, instead of resigning them.
V. Still further, the Christian will use his worldly business as a means of keeping him from vain and unprofitable thoughts. Leisure is the occasion of all evil. Idleness is the first step in the downward course which leads to hell.
VI. Lastly, we see what judgment to give in a question sometimes agitated, whether we should retire from our worldly business at the close of life to give our thoughts more entirely to God. The Christian will be content to do without these blessings, and the highest Christian of all is he whose heart is so stayed on God that he does not wish or need them, whose heart is so set on things above that things below as little excite, agitate, unsettle, distress, and seduce him as they stop the course of nature, as they stop the sun and moon, or change summer and winter.
J. H. Newman, Parochial and Plain Sermons,vol. viii., p. 154.
The lesson of the text is this: Religion ought to mingle with and guide all the affairs of life, and cannot be safely dispensed with in any department of our existence.
I. Let everything we do show the intention of God in our existence. Does your life tell what is God's intention with it?
II. Let everything be done in obedience to God.
III. Let all things be so done that when they are completed they shall be to the praise of God's wisdom, power, and love.
T. Jones, Christian World Pulpit,vol. xii., p. 161.
References: 1 Corinthians 10:31. Plain Sermons by Contributors to "Tracts for the Times,"vol. v., p. 268; A. D. Davidson, Lectures and Sermons,p. 18; E. M. Goulburn, Thoughts on Personal Religion,p. 122; W. J. Knox-Little; Characteristics of the Christian Life,p. 197; R. Abercrombie, Christian World Pulpit,vol. ii., p. 218; T. Jones, Ibid.,vol. xii., p. 161; C. Kingsley, Village Sermons,p. 155; Preacher's Monthly,vol. viii., p. 129. 1 Corinthians 10:33. T. Arnold, Sermons,vol. i., p. 173. 1 Corinthians 10:33. Preacher's Monthly,vol. ix., p. 44. 1 Corinthians 11:1. G. Brooks, Five Hundred Outlines,p. 353; W. M. Taylor, Paul the Missionary,p. 540; R. W. Church, The Gifts of Civilisation,p. 80. 1 Corinthians 11:3. E. W. Shalders, Christian World Pulpit,vol. vii., p. 234. 1 Corinthians 11:10. W. C. E. Newbolt, Counsels of Faith and Practice,p. 191; Homiletic Quarterly,vol. ii., p. 71. 1 Corinthians 11:14. H. W. Beecher, Christian World Pulpit,vol. xxvi., p. 42. 1 Corinthians 11:18. F. W. Robertson, Lectures on Corinthians,p. 165. 1 Corinthians 11:23-26. Homilist,3rd series, vol. ix., p. 102; J. H. Hitchens, Christian World Pulpit,vol. ii., p. 29; Clergyman'sMagazine,vol. viii., p. 154. 1 Corinthians 11:24. Spurgeon, Sermons,vol. i., No. 2; Ibid., Morning by Morning,p. 117; A. Maclaren, Christian Commonwealth,No. 112. 1 Corinthians 11:25. Church of England Pulpit,vol. ix., p. 136.