Today’s scripture reminds me of a conversation I once had with a financial coach on the subject of borrowing. He said that when taking a loan, many people focus on the loan limit. They take as much as it is lawful for them to without knowing what they are going to do with the money, and in most cases the loan they took does not build them up, instead it leaves them worse off.

The word edify means to build up. Paul is telling us that just because something is lawful does not mean that we engage in it. We also need to ask if it is beneficial and also, will it edify?

This means that something can be lawful to do, but it does not edify, it does not build up. This principle reminds us once again that the Christian walk is not just about me and my relationship with God, it also involves my brothers and sisters because we are part of the same body. Whatever I say and do must take account of others around me and if they will be edified.

Jesus tells us that the greatest commandment is to love God with all your heart mind and soul and the second is equally important as the first, and it is to love your neighbour as self. We are called to consider others as better than ourselves and also to encourage one another.

With all those things in mind, then we realize as we make decisions that it is not just about whether something is lawful or not, but what impact will it have on my fellow brothers and sisters? Will this make me stronger or weaker in my faith, and does it have the capacity to become a stumbling block to my brother and sister?

When it comes to lawful things, do you ever stop to consider the impact your actions will have on fellow believers who are around you?

Has someone ever caused you to stumble because of the things they did or said, even though what they did was lawful?

What impact does this scripture have especially to those in positions of leadership in the church?