Paul reminds us that whatever we do, and he uses eating and drinking as the principle example, we are to do to the glory of God. This is why we ought to give thanks for our meals.

Unlike the beasts, who eat from pure creaturely instinct, man eats on the basis of God’s permission. It was unnecessary to give such command to the beasts. To Adam, however, God invited him to freely eat from Eden’s trees, save one.

Although we’re creatures––needing food as any creature does––our eating is set apart from theirs. For man, eating is more than mere subsistence. The Lord’s first command to our Father Adam was to eat. This means that to eat, for mankind, is ultimately tied to our moral duty to walk in righteousness before God, as His image bearers.

To eat like a beast, merely to gratify hunger, is to deny the high calling God places upon us. This goes deeper than just dietary choices.

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