The Valueless Idols

4So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that “An idol is nothing at all in the world” and that “There is no God but one.” 5For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”), 6yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.

7But not everyone possesses this knowledge. Some people are still so accustomed to idols that when they eat sacrificial food they think of it as having been sacrificed to a god, and since their conscience is weak, it is defiled. 8But food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do. (1 Corinthians 8:4-8)

Thoughts: The issue was that food or meat  that was offered to idols was cheaper.  Most of the early gentile Christians were very poor.  It was easy to note that no idol was really a god-- it was just a mistaken object of worship.  But Paul was saying that we should be sensitive to those who were still put off by idol worship, and did not want to touch anything impure.  Paul knows that food does not really defile after all.
     Paul contrasts the idols who made nothing, with God who made everything and who still give us life.  He also puts Christ and God the Father on the same level saying that all things came and have their being in the Father and the Son.  We give ourselves to our Lord, and such things as idols seem so valueless.  

Prayer: Lord, you are my God in whom I live, move, and have my being.  I give myself for you.