Photo creditPlease note: I want to express my heart from the outset of this post to assure my readers that these are musings that the Lord has been working in my heart lately, and I felt compelled to share them with you. I in no way desire to condemn anyone, but my motivation in sharing is to challenge us all to guard our hearts in this matter.
I recently encountered two stories that have challenged me in the motivation and out workings of my pursuit of natural living. The first account began with a friend desiring to throw a baby shower for an expectant mother in her church. This friend was expecting her first little one. The hostess simply wanted to bless and encourage this new mother in her pursuit. When she asked for gift ideas, the new mother stated that she only wanted organic baby clothing, wooden natural toys, organic cloth diapers, and the like. Half of the guests could not afford these products. One lady missed the memo and came with a few plastic toys.
How do you think this made her hostess and guests feel?
The second account took place when I heard a couple share that they had not been tithing for several months and wanted to begin again. They had not been able to afford it. I knew that this family ate all organic and natural foods. This appeared like it could not be sacrificed.
What is more important?
I have had conversations with friends or family members on various occasions when I tried to persuade them of the health consequences or benefits of a certain product. What has resulted? Relationships have been hurt. I have left others feeling condemned or inadequate. Or at a shared meal gathering, when another mom instructs her son not to eat that food item because “it’s not food”, relationships are damaged because we exalt food over fellowship.
Do I consider myself superior to others because we have adopted a more natural lifestyle?
In the past I have skimped on hospitality because I did not want to spend the money to buy good quality food for my guests or when bringing a meal to another. I made the excuse that I couldn’t afford it. In all honesty, I wanted to keep the best of our budget for my family. This is not true generosity. True generosity takes place when I joyfully give the best that I can following the Scriptural command to do unto others as you would have them do to you (Matt. 7:12).
Where is my heart?
The apostle John’s last words in 1 John are, “Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts (1 John 5:21).” These last words are significant…He wants them to be remembered.
How often do I turn a good thing into a god thing?
As Tim Keller states in Counterfeit Gods, “Most people know you can make a god out of money. Most people know you can make a god out of sex. However, anything in life can serve as an idol, a God-alternative, a counterfeit god…What is an idol? It is anything more important to you than God, anything that absorbs your heart and imagination more than God, anything you seek to give you what only God can give.”
Natural living can become an idol when we willingly give our emotional and financial resources to achieve it.
Natural living can become an idol when we think that it can give us significance, security, safety and fulfillment.
Natural living can become an idol when we hoard the benefits and not freely offer it to others.
What is my motivation for eating healthy and living naturally? Because I have desired to be a good steward of creation and for the health and wholeness of our family.
Can preserving the safety of my family become an idol in my life? Yes!
When I give my money first towards the purchase of good healthy food prior to giving it back to the Lord in my worship of tithe, natural living has gone too far. When I am more concerned about the safety of my family to the extent that I sacrifice relationships, the service of my brothers and sisters, than natural living has become an idol.
Eating healthy will not guarantee my family a more peaceful longer life. It will not add a single day to my life than God has already determined. Only God knows the number of my days. (Psalms 139:16) He calls me to be faithful to care for my physical body, and this includes being wise in what I put into my body, knowing that it will affect my ability to serve the Lord; but when I raise that to a god-level, it is no longer a good thing. My security must only be found in Christ. He controls my family’s health and wellness.
Eating healthy and living naturally does not make me any more honorable in God’s eyes than any other. We are all in equal standing before Him.
Our first fruit of income should always go to tithe and not food. (Lev. 23:10; Numbers 28:26). Where your money is, there your heart will be also. (Matt. 6:19-21) If I put more money towards my health and wholeness before God and giving unto others, than that is where my treasure lies. It will burn up at the end.
Unity in the body is more important than the safety of our family. (Rom. 14:1-3; Psalms 133)
God calls me to be generous, not to hoard the good stuff for myself. Am I only concerned about my health and not the well-being of my friends, family, and fellow brothers and sisters in Christ? God loves a cheerful giver. I am challenged to serve the best to my guests as I possibly can. The more you give the less hold it has on your heart. (2 Cor. 8:9)
I have seen and confess to these evidences of idolatry in my heart. Am I implying that organic food, clothing, or wooden toys are bad? In no way. It is a matter of the heart. What is my motivation? Is that a God-glorifying motivation? My challenge to you all…let’s not raise being a good steward to a god position. Let’s not make others feel guilty, discouraged, or overwhelmed because they cannot afford the natural lifestyle or only in part. It’s about relationships. Let’s keep God first, love one another, and pursue giving generously to one another as we are able. Jesus commanded in Luke 10:27 states, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind, and love your neighbor as yourself.” I hope you understand my heart in communicating this message. There is no condemnation here. This is just a challenge to go further up and further in in our pursuit of Christ Jesus with me.
“Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don’t argue with them about what they think is right or wrong. For instance, one person believes it’s all right to eat anything. But another believer with a sensitive conscience will eat only vegetables. Those who feel free to eat anything must not look down on those who don’t. And those who don’t eat certain foods must not condemn those who do, for God has accepted them.” - Romans 14:1-3
I do believe we should not make food an idol, but I also think we should eat “Rea; Food” Food the way God designed it to be. He did not make artificial foods nor made our bodies to handle them long term. Yes if someone has us over we can eat it & be kind, but long term our bodies will break down from it. If one can’t afford all organic..we can’t either we should still try Real food…If that means growing it ourselves, eating simple meals, & so on. I am struggling w thyroid issues from eating bad growing up & I don’t want that for my kids. We just try to eat food the way God created it, but on a budget. Not to make it an idol though or put it above the Lord but have it part of our lives as Christians taking care of the body He gave us.
Lindsay,
I visit you blog often and it blesses my life tremendously. Thanks for posting this topic;thanks for being an instrument in God’s hands.
Blessings to you and your beautiful family,
Liliana
I think this is the best post you have ever written. I had tears in my eyes reading it. I have often struggled with wondering how far to go into the natural lifestyle because sometimes it seems like the emphasis is on preserving the body rather than focusing on eternal things like people and evangelism and loving the lost. I have often had a heart check in thinking about how so many around the world have nothing and here I think I need to throw out all my stuff that’s not BPA-free, etc. or spend twice the amount on organic milk when some people would just be happy to have any kind of milk. It’s definitely a heart matter!
Thank you for this post. This is something I often struggle with and I appreciate your sharing what God has put on your heart.
Oh my, I’m so glad that you wrote this post! I have many friends who are firm believers in one way of life or another (raw foods only, organic only, vegetarian, etc), and it does not seem to be bearing good spiritual fruit in their lives.
Jesus said in Matthew 15, “Hear and understand: it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.”
Dear friends, let us be known not for how we eat (or don’t eat), but for how we love God and His people. We are Christians.
If you choose a specific lifestyle fine but keep it to yourself and do all you can to minimize it in the body of Christ. We want unity around the gospel not division around our distinctive or preferences.
with sincere love!
Anything we spend a lot of time doing, such as putting in all the time and effort we do in our homes, can easily start to take up too much time. Idols pop up everywhere in our lives and often sneak up on us. Thank you for your post! It’s a great reminder for us to check our hearts! Thank you for the honest reminder, and giving us a glimpse into the real struggles you face.
Wow Lindsay! What a balanced perspective! Thank you for being so honest and real. I think almost anyone who is into natural living can relate to what you are saying. It really is all about the kingdom and eternity rather than the here and now. I so admire your humble, sweet spirit!
Thank you so much for this beautiful post! Thanks for being vulnerable and sharing your heart, as well as your own mistakes! I have been thinking alot of this lately, as we transition to eating healthier again on a budget 1/2 of what I was using a few months ago. I struggle and worry and fret over how to make it work, then I pray and pray for God to help me find a balance in it all. I know what would be best, I also know what we can (and cannot) afford right now. For me, it’s just resting in the Lord and eating to His glory the best we can in each season of life. God bless you! Can’t wait to read more of your blog.
One last comment about food.
As with everything in our lives, we have to put it all in His hands. We ask him to bless our food, sanctify it and use it to the nourishment of our bodies. If we trust him with our whole lives then he will take care of our bodies. If we seek out the truth through Holy Spirit (who speaks on our behalf) to guide us, show us the way he will take care of us.
Seek the Truth in everything. There is only ONE way to heaven. Romans 10:9 (NIV) says, That if you confess with your mouth, ” Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
What an honest post. I have to comment that we should not be considering our use of food dollars as tithe just because we are suppporting local farmers.
OK, so normally I don’t post, but this is something that I have seen many people VERY dear to me dearing with lately…and wanted to comment.
I have been thinking about this particular issue a lot lately…trying to logically apply Biblical principle to it. While I haven’t come to any solid conclusions yet….here are some things that have come to mind (many of which are just logical conclusions of things that Lindsay mentioned):
1) Would I really die for the gospel? If I knew that God was calling me to to take my family to a country full of dangerous illnesses, lack of safety codes, etc, for the cause of advancing the gospel? I think I would (and in fact plan to, when finished with seminary)….but how can I really mean that if I’m not willing to occationally “brave” non-organic (or non-whole…or even processed) foods so that I can afford to have non-Christian neighbors over for a meal? If I really believe that the advancing of gospel is more important than even my own life….then how does that play into this?
2) Is this issue important enough to be a stumbling block to others…possibly to the point of seroiusly offending a brother or sister…or aleinating a non-believer (by denying food offered for the sake of its health value)? Paul was willing to endure stonings, beatings, and even execution for the sake of the gospel…am I willing to endure insistently offered “cheese flavored product” on an overly processed cracker (if I know that denying the hospitality would be seen as an insult)?
3) If my wife has to leave the church service 15 min early to prepare “real” food for us for the after service meal instead of staying to hear the Word preached…what does that show of our value of the Word (not with our family…but have actually seen this happen in our church).
4) If I know their is a family next door going without a meal (or heat, etc.) due to money issues…but can’t ever invite them over or meet their need in the name of Christ because the budget is going towards “real food” while they have none…how can I reconcile that with the love of Christ? Even if it means doing it indefinitly….forever even…sharing the gospel each time…even if I die ten years younger…is it better to have those extra ten years….or see another family of six bowing their knee in adoration to my Lord?
I promise….none of this is meant as an attack…and I hope its not seen as such….but I have been doing this recently…with a lot of things in my life.
I suddenly realized that…while I had learned and applied SO much wonderful doctrine to my life in the last few years…I had forgotten the primacy of the gospel in my actions (although I extolled it in word).
Just some “food” for thought.
-Ben
Great thoughts Ben! As we think about those in Haiti who have lost so much, I feel that we should give sacrificially, even if that means we eat cheaper for a while so we can share with others for the sake of the gospel.
God has been whispering to me about this issue also. My husband and I actually had an arguement about raw milk. Every since then, I’ve been very convicted about this. I think this post was very helpful, and I applaude you for being so candid. Keep up the good work!
Oh, dear Lindsay, thank you so much for this post! I hope the people who read it see the point you are trying to make and not misunderstand what you are saying here. That verse from Romans at the end pretty much sums it up. Obviously we are all called to be good stewards of the gifts God has given us, including our bodies, children, and relationships, but God would never judge us for living naturally or not. Is natural living wise? Yes, emphatically. Some of us just can’t afford it, and some of us value it so much that we would disdain food that He accepts and blesses to fill and nourish (though maybe not as well) those who eat it (I’m thinking particularly of America’s working poor here, and those in Haiti, India, Africa, and Mexico who would be glad to have our packaged food). Does natural living make us more righteous in God’s sight? No. Christ did that for us! It has no bearing on our standing before Him. He is far more concerned with our relationship with Him. Should we put natural living before Him and His commands to love Him and one another? Never. The call to love is far greater. Perhaps we may love Him by caring for what He’s given us, and perhaps we love others by providing good nourishing meals for them, but I agree, Lindsay, it should never be the other way around. May Jesus continue to bless you, friend, as you seek to love and honor Him first. “Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?…And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?…But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:25, 27, 33
Thanks for writing this post! Much of what you said echoed my own heart.
What a great post! I really needed to hear this! It is a perspective that I have never considered. I also love some of the comments. Like what Sarah said… that our identity should be in Christ and nothing else. I totally agree! Thinking of that really helps when it is tough to avoid the ways of the world.
Great post in every way!
This was a good post, and true…to a certain extent. I agree with all my heart that God must come before anything in our lives, or that “thing,” even a good thing such as eating healthfully, is an idol.
However, I don’t agree that our relationships with others come before keeping our family safe. As parents, our number one responsibility, after God, is providing for the spiritual and physical well-being of our family. In fact, the Bible says that whoever doesn’t provide for his own family is worse than an infidel (I Tim 5:8). My husband and I suffered from 5 years of primary infertility and 2 miscarriages before we were blessed with our 2 children. In all my research to try to find out what was wrong with me, I kept coming across research showing a link between chemical consumption, both by eating and using chemical laden body and cleaning products, and hormone in . One research article I read said that moms who used standard cosmetics and body care products had sons with 40% lower sperm counts than moms who used natural products. There is no way on earth I’m going to knowingly do anything that would possibly submit my children to the agony of infertility when they are older. No, we can’t protect our children from everything, but I am doing my part to protect them in the way I can.
That being said, I would never be rude, and I am always gracious. Fortunately for us, I and my children are celiacs, so bringing my own food with me isn’t offensive to my friends because they wouldn’t want us to get sick from eating their food, but still want to fellowship with us at meals.
So if you can be healthy without being obsessive, kudos to you. I’m not quite there yet, especially where my children are concerned. Your post was a good reminder to help keep things in perspective. I enjoy your blog.
Oops. Didn’t finish a sentence. Supposed to say “hormone imbalances and infertility.”
Your best post yet!!!
LOVED this.
Thank you for writing this! While I love the direction life has taken and all that I have learned here and on other blogs, some days it is overwhelming. Every time I think I’ve learned it all, I find out there is more and it almost breaks me. Some days I just need to feed hungry kids, who can blow through a meal that took hours to prepare in a matter of minutes and then ask for more. There is a limit to what I can do and the energy I have. I just have to trust God that I am doing enough for now and He can fill in the blanks.
This was a beautiful post! You are absolutely right when stating that anything can become a God in our life. I recently read a wonderful book by Debbie Macomber called “One Simple Act: Discovering the Power of Generosity”. It has had a powerful affect on me. We are to build up the body of Christ one simple act of love at a time.
Thank you for your gentle reminder that God should come first always. He will provide what is needed when it is needed.
Blessings and Grace to you…
Thank you so much for posting this! It’s so important to realize that while healthy living is good, there are so many other things that are MORE important to God!!! Bless you for posting this!
Lindsay, God has used you once again to get me thinking about where my priorities are at and how I can best live for Him in ALL areas. Thank you sincerely.
Lindsey, this has been my favorite post of yours ever. I started frequenting your blog a few months ago when a friend of mine sent me a link about making cloth wipes. As I perused your posts, I found myself feeling overwhelmed because you were already so far in your natural living journey, and I was really just in the beginning stages. However, having dealt with extreme behavior and thought patterns in myself in the past (eating disorders and legalism), I knew that I would do the little bitty steps that I felt the Lord leading our family to do and not worry about comparing myself to others who were completely all-natural. In fact, it would be safe to say our family will probably never be completely all-natural/organic, but that’s okay.
I’ve been on both sides of this. I’ve been guilty of idolatry (as I said before–eating disorder and legalism), and I’ve been hurt by those who have been so extreme in their natural-living pursuits (although I think most of the time those who offended me did so unintentionally). When my daughter was born, I naturally thought I would breastfeed her. That was the logical, sensible thing to do. It was natural, it was free, and there were so many benefits that I heard about (day in and day out–pumped into my brain constantly–”Breast is Best!”). When she lost enough weight within the first 4 days of her life to cause concern (and start supplementing), I was absolutely heartbroken. After a month of trying to boost my very low milk supply to no avail, I chose to stop nursing and give her only formula. I cried almost every day for the next several months, feeling like a total failure as a mom. How could I not give her what she needed? I even struggled in my relationship with the Lord. While I knew He was sovereignly allowing this to happen, I questioned Him all the time. I live in a seminary community and am surrounded my nursing moms. In fact, I only know of 2 moms who bottle-feed their babies (out of hundreds!). This only added to my pain and disappointment. God gently reminded me that my identity was not to be in anything (including being a mom) other than HIM. I have a friend that many times posted things on her Facebook account about how important breastfeeding was, and the detrimental effects on the relationship between mother and baby when the mother chose not to (or could not) breastfeed. These were always reminders of my “failure.” Well-intentioned moms would look at my little Gerber baby girl and say, “Good job, Mom!” Inside I was silently screaming, “At what? Mixing a bottle of formula??” I have had to confess resentment and envy and thankfully, the Lord has brought be to a much better place (although there are days I still struggle). All that to say, I think so much emphasis can be placed on living naturally that people who WANT to do things (such as breastfeed) and simply CAN’T for whatever reason end up feeling like they are less than acceptable. But as you pointed out, God looks at the heart, and our right-standing with Christ is based on what He did, not at our own efforts.
Thanks again for this post. What an encouragement.
Sarah,
I just had to reply to your post. I strugglled with the EXACT same problem. My diffuculty with breastfeeding came more from post-partum depression with my first child, and with my second child, I was extremely ill due to advanced kidney disease. It was a miracle that I even got pregnant! My friends were never “unknind” but I constantly felt like a failure as a mom. I, too, had to realize that my “identity” as a person came from God, not from what I did or didn’t do. The Christian’s relationship with God is not about a “list” of what to do or don’t do. It is about knowing God so intimately (through His Word) that we exemplify His Son through everything that we do.
As my daughter gets older (she just turned 8!), this concept reconstantly in my mind. I see the potential for her to become such a talented, loving woman of God, and I want her to see that woman in me. Lindsey’s original post was so good. It’s all about OUR relationship with Him. If that relationship is where it should be then we can’t help but display Christ’s love and compassion to EVERYONE, no matter what their personal convictions are.
I love your web site, and this post really made me step back and evaluate my own thinking patterns. I am someone who was graciously healed by God from a painful disorder that lasted for four years. However, through that process God taught me many things about eating HIS food as opposed to man-made food. I agree that it can become an obsession…as our deceiver will take anything God made and try to create a sinful situation with it. I guess where I struggle is questioning what is actually obsession and what is actually just sticking to what’s right. It’s easy to say we will never smoke because that is obviously harmful and a sin because of the harm it brings to our bodies. Choosing to never smoke under any circumstance isn’t an obsession, it’s a willingness to honor God with my body…but how does that translate to food? Our food supply here is so adulterated due to greed (needing to produce more), that our grocery stores are filled with items that aren’t really “food.” Yet, unfortunately, that is what is affordable to most people. We wouldn’t feed our children dirt, which has no nutritional value, yet someone might feed their child some boxed prepared food that is filled with ingredients that can’t even be pronounced. The only nutritional value in it is through *added* vitamins so that it’s marketable to busy parents. It’s so frustrating. I guess what I’m getting at is that I think it is OK to be willing to stick to real food items and sacrifice in other areas for the sake of upkeep of this wonderful temple. For example, I would rather not have extra of one thing in order to purchase brown rice over white rice…because that’s how my Lord meant for it to be. I want to take care of my body to make sure I can serve my Lord to the best of my ability…because I know firsthand what it is like to be so sick that you are literally a prisoner in your own body. I do realize our days are numbered and that there is an appointed time to die, but I think our willingness to take the best care possible of these bodies is a good thing (when for His great glory), because I know so many people who are sick and dying due to life decisions they made regarding not caring for their bodies. I don’t consider those particular problems a part of God’s plan (although He has allowed it to happen). Last, I think we have to be careful how we interpret certain verses (such as the one in Romans that says one believes it’s right to eat anything.) In context, this of course refered to those that still struggled with clean and unclean foods. In our modern day American food supply, I’m not sure the Lord would not consider it OK for us to eat the literal equivalent of chemicals, just as He wouldn’t want us to smoke.
And I guess what I’m wondering is how other people feel about the fact that we consider it a sin to do certain things that are obviously harmful (smoking), yet we don’t consider it a sin to eat foods that are obviously harmful. I would love input, but please don’t *yell* at me!! 
The internet can be a tricky place to communicate, and I so don’t mean any of this in a hurtful way.
I hope this is not taken as critical in any way…I believe the Lord is ministering through you…I’m just stating what’s going on in my head when I think of issues about eating. And btw, I am not one to judge my friends who choose to eat other foods. Again, as one who was rescued from a disabling illness, the issues of eating real food just hit a little close to home.
God’s Blessings on you and yours.
Great post! I completely agree. Thanks for sharing in such a humble and helpful way
Very well said. Unjudgemental, humble, and full of love. Thanks again for what you do. You are such a blessing to read!
Thank you for having the courage to write this! It was something that I needed to hear!
Wow, what a timely post! This is a very important topic. I’m about to make some major dietary changes to support a loved one who is dealing with significant health issues. However, it is also important to maintain a healthy balance in all areas of our life. Thank you for pouring out your heart here and letting us all benefit.
I found your blog recently, and love it! This is a lovely post.
Well said.
Wow, Lindsay, you definitely struck a chord on this one! This is something I have also considered and what a blessing to see your post. I so much appreciate your sensitivity to the Holy Spirit. Our family is so blessed to live in a part of the country where hunting is encouraged, so our red meat is all healthy, and we live out of town and have clean well water, and we have chickens and goats to provide eggs and milk, but the produce and other things are where it become challenging. I purchase as much bulk as I can from Azure Standard and Costco, but it can still be quite expensive inbetween times. The things I am the most concerned about are the hormones in meat and dairy, so those are the things I try to be most careful about.
As far as eating at other people’s house or when others give us food, I have taken Paul’s words, which are to eat what is put before us, not asking questions. Some friends of ours have also reminded me of the words in the Matthew 15:11 “Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.” Those same friends have also reminded me that eating naturally can be a form of worshiping the body. I think each person has to have a clean conscience before the Lord regarding their own financial situation, the issue of pride and their motivation for eating naturally. None of us will live one day longer than God ordained for us, regardless of how we eat. On the other hand, the extreme of eating all prepared food filled with preservatives is not wise stewardship either. I love this discussion. I am gleaning so many wonderful insights from everyone!
I’ve thought often that I’m a more vocal witness to the benefits of natural living than for Jesus Christ, perhaps another symptom that it’s become my idol. I agree with your comments wholeheartedly.
Wow… Great insight, Anne. I hadn’t thought about that when reading Lindsay’s blog, but you are right. Totally convicted on that myself…
Oops. *Ann*
Often times it is the way we live that best shows the life of Christ. Not the words we speak.
Lindsey, I am soooooo proud of you for having the guts to post something this honest! This same idea has been rolling around in my head for months now, but I never made the connection to idolatry … I just have been thinking how easy it is to get a superiority complex about natural living. I especially appreciated your insight into how too much of a good thing can damage relationships and lead to selfish behavior.
The first time these thoughts occured to me I was listening a well-known health expert extolling the benefits of things like fish oil supplements, raw foods, sleep routines etc. This person stated that based on his incredibly complex health routine, he expected to live to age 115 and possibly longer. I tried to imagine following his advice and realized that it would completely dominate my life until I had no time for anything other than looking after my personal health. I also realized how foolish it is for anyone to proclaim themselves invincible.
There’s NOTHING wrong with making healthy choices – I buy as much good, wholesome, organic food for my family as I possibly can afford – but it is so, so easy to be tempted by the idea of worshipping our created bodies instead of the God who made them.
Thank you! I really needed to read this, however humbling it was.
I really enjoy your site and I am so glad that God has called you to this ministry.
God Bless!
Your sister in Christ, Shannon
Thanks for taking the time to remind us of these things!
Amen, preach it sister! I have been reading your blog over the past couple of months and it has been such a blessing to me. It has opened my eyes and challenged me to think about what food I am buying for my family and what changes I can and need to make. This is especially timely because my husband and I are praying about starting a family in the near future. I can see that slowly this idea of natural living has become an idol and obsession. It hasn’t distanced me from giving to the Lord or hospitality (yet), but I need to be aware that Satan is crafty and if I don’t check my heart daily in this area that deeper sin can creep in. Please keep speaking the truth in love, it brings the Lord such glory!
Fabulous…I needed to hear this! Can you do a post of ideas on training children in healthy eating while also maintaining respect and love for others? I want my children to know why we make the decisions we do but yet my 5 year old son recently spend a weekend with my mom and was judgmental and ungrateful for the food he was given. I have talked with him about it, but I would be grateful for any other ideas to explain this to young children. Thanks!
Thank you for posting this. I would love to feed my family only organic food but we can’t afford it. Reading your blog has often made me feel less of a mom because not only can I not afford to live the way you espouse, I have health limitations where I can’t even barely take care of my home and family. I am in the midst of trying very hard to believe that God loves me but circumstances seem so much to the contrary.
I confess if I lived nearby, I would not dare to invite you for dinner because the meal would not be organic and my house would not be up to your standards. Maybe I would now after this post but I know I would feel self-conscious the entire time.
I appreciate your honesty though.
Joanna, I don’t get on here to comment that much but your comment stood out to me. I’m truly sorry you feel this way. My wife has worked very hard to encourage women in those exact circumstances on this blog. That is one of the reasons she is still blogging. Please hear my wife’s heart in her writing and don’t misinterpret her words. Eating healthy food and taking care of your body is important but your relationship with the Lord should come first before all things and from that relationship and the circumstances that the Lord has you in, you are simply called to love Him and others around you. Anything that gets in the way of that should be questioned thoroughly and tested against the Bible.
While you may not have the courage to invite us over if you lived in the area, we would love to have you over to our home, regardless of whatever is for dinner.
And you know what? I do believe The Edmonds’ family would come over for dinner, (if you lived close by). For it’s not about what’s being served but the love behind it. I don’t think they would forsake the assembly of Saints because you would serve unorganic food, white bread, and some sugary dessert. One meal, once in a great while is not going to prevent them from showing the love of Christ.
As for your home, no home is going to spotless, super organized, I know mine isn’t. But I still have people over. My friends like the “lived-in” look anyways. My bathrooms are always clean, and I try and do a quick pick-up or vacuum before they come. but you know what? Even if I didn’t they would still love me anyways.
As the saying goes, people in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones. no one is perfect, be encouraged! And invite some people over.
Thank you for these thoughts. We are all in the process of sanctification. Something I have been reminded of even this afternoon. If we point out the god in someone else’s life – more than likely there is another god that they could point to in our lives. Rest assured that the Holy Spirit will continue His work in our life to make us more like Christ and to make the gospel BIG!
While I think your main point of not allowing anything to become an idol in your life is great, I think some things are not as bad as you made out in your article. When someone asks a person (expectant mom) what type of gifts she would like for her baby, I think it is good for her to be honest. If someone gets something else, then of course she should be grateful. If it is something expensive, several friends could go in together for the purchase, etc. I would not fault this mom for expressing her preferences when asked. My children also do not eat certain foods. They can always graciously decline a food offered by a hostess. That’s not idolatry.As Christians, we live in the new covenant sealed with the Blood of Jesus. The tithe is not mandated. Of course it is a good guide for us, but not a condition for salvation. We should be led by God in this area as well as all other areas. I don’t want to be too negative. Just some thoughts…
I was also thinking…what about vegetarians or vegans? What about people with food allergies? My daughter is allergic to peanut butter, but if the hostess is serving peanut butter cookies I’m not setting it up as an idol if I decline them.
Hey Mrs. Taft
Being allergic or vegetarian / vegan is something different, I think.
I’m a vegetarian, but I choose not to hurt my friends and family because of it.
So I say I don’t choose, buy or cook animals. If someone serves them to me however, I will eat them. I know my mum tries her best to make me vegetarian meals when she can, so I won’t grumble when she makes only meat or fish one day. My grandma has never cooked vegetarian, and I won’t bother her at her age.
My friend’s way of making it easier for others is to only cut the meat, not the fish. That way, people will always make him fish if they are unsure about their vegetarian cooking.
My way is that I will not eat animals, but accept them if someone has done their best to serve me a beautiful dish. I think wasting the meat is even worse!
I really enjoyed reading this timely post. I’ve friends who felt depressed and anxious reading my blog about organic living so I’ve also reevaluated my priorities. I am trying to keep in mind what Jesus would do. I think he wants mothers to be wise and try to protect our kids from toxins, but at the same time, I can imagine Jesus hanging out and sharing a burger at McDonald’s, you know?
I don’t think it was wrong for the baby shower girl to ask for organic things. Doing otherwise would have been a waste of money, since the mom probably wouldn’t use the non-organic items. There are lots of inexpensive organic items, and their prices are almost the same. You can find wooden toys for very cheap at ikea for example. I am pretty sure the pregnant mom wouldn’t mistreat the girl who brought the plastic stuff. I feel judgement comes from the other side as well. Most of the time I feel like people who are not into “healthy/organic” judge me for doing so. I have received many “unkind” comments from sisters in Christ regarding my choices to take care of the body God has entrusted me with. We should all accept each other and leave the judging up to God.
I think the point she was trying to come across was very valid but some of her statements are not totally true. Because God knows the number of my days doesn’t mean that the choices I make won’t influence the number of my days. If I overdose on drugs, I will die, not because God intended for me to die, but because I chose to be unwise. The author also mentioned that God controls my family’s health and wellness. Yes, but we are stewards of our bodies. God gives us control over what we eat and we reap the consequences of what we choose. If you eat donuts for breakfast over many years, you are controlling the size of your belly, not God. We shouldn’t put food as a priority in our lives, but God wants us to make wise eating decisions according to our capabilities and resources.
Thank you, Lyndsay! Being on the receiving end of this ungracious attitude kept me from practicing many healthy habits for many years. The urgency with which people speak of it shows that it is their god, and I wanted no part of it. Blogs such as yours, where Jesus is first, have educated and motivated me to do the best I can while still respecting others’ health choices as their own and not mine to make.
I especially appreciate your insights into tithing, and want to respond to those who have commented that our choices in feeding our families are more important than tithing. It is true that tithing is not mentioned in the New Testament, and that the Old Testament tithe went to support priests who had no other income, but God said through Malachi that those who did not tithe and give offerings were robbing HIM. And His words to them, that He would throw open the floodgates of heaven with so much blessing, if they would put Him first financially, have been true in my life and many of my friends. I would agree that we are not under law to give 10%, because we are not under law, but under grace. In my mind, though, that means I don’t give 10%, but everything I possibly can, beginning with the kingdom (Mt. 6:33). For many years, the early Christians shared literally everything they had with one another – because of love there was no need for a tithe in those days! I might have a hard time giving a tithe to a church in whose leadership I did not have confidence, but in that case I would be even more concerned about the teaching and example. With only one exception, the paid ministers at the churches we have been at have been the hardest workers I’ve ever met WHILE being exemplary at loving their own family as they should.
Actually it is in the New Testament, check out Hebrews 7:1-10.
Tithing was never under the law. It was before the law. So we are bound to it.
We have never had any need unmet, as long as we have tithed. I would tithe the last 1,000 knowing I had nothing, because I KNEW God would supply all our needs. it takes great faith to tithe, but His ways are higher than our, and I’d want His blessings.
Amen, Kate! Thanks for pointing out the verses in Hebrews – I obviously had forgotten about those.
Thank you for such fresh insight into a problem I believe is more common than most would like to think. I believe this spills over into many areas of our lives that seem to be in these interest of body, mind or spirit. Church ministry comes to mind…this is a clear reminder that whatever we are doing should be done to fulfill the ministry that God has given to each of us which should not be causing us or others to stumble, coming before our relationship with the Lord, interfering in the quality of our family relationships or reinforcing a false sense of security which is exactly what we were delivered from when we came to Jesus. Thank you!
I find this difficult…because you are right. It’s a hard standard to live up to, hard to examine yourself sometimes. I have trouble giving (beyond our tithe, which we do) the best. I am trying to do better at that. Like, bringing a good part of a meal to our small group gathering, a meal to a friend who’s recently had a baby, sewing diapers for those who can’t afford it, etc. I’m working on it everyday.
But I also want to say, to some of the others who read here, that sometimes what God is laying on your heart is not the same as what He’s laying on another’s heart. Right now God is laying it on my heart to learn more grace and humility. We can’t be perfect and we can’t work on every area of our lives at once. So, for those who were maybe upset by this post, perhaps God is working on you in a different way right now. And that’s okay too.
Wow, thank you for this post! A few of my friendships are hurting right now due to this very topic. I am amazed at the direction God is taking me and how he is taking me there. I realize that many people have related to this post, but I feel it was written just for me. How humbling to read this, it is so hard to be the one who is in need of an attitude adjustment!
I love this post.Your transparency blessed me so much. I would love to go completely and 100% organic at all times and all natural, but like you said the more I do that the more stingy I get with our food. I want to hoard it and keep it and that is not what Christ would do at all.
Recently to me this whole natural food thing has become more of a sometimes thing. When I can I do, and I trust God that He has our days numbered and our lives in His hands. It can get sooo crazy, almost our whole obsession and thus our idol.
I have been thinking of writing a post somewhat like this for a while, maybe now I will just link to yours as you worded it all perfectly. Thanks for being vulnerable and honest.
Christians forget that tithing (10%-what it means)results in greater blessing for the giver. It seems like all (or many) of the followers and commentors on this blog love and consider their families and their health. Good, quality food is so important today and so is taking care of the family but God above all things will result in blessing. It’s not up to us to decide what people do with the money we give-if a large church swindles it away they will be held accountable for the usage of what was given to them. Let us not judge what others do with our giving, we’re only accountable and should only be concerned with what we know we should do (because it’s already written for us in scripture) and for what the Holy Spirit instructs us to do…be it giving above and beyond the 10%
I’ve seen it time after time, people who don’t tithe and money seems tight they begin to give to the “church” and become generous (in other ways) and the Lord starts blessing them and giving more peace in their finances.
I didn’t intend to comment about tithing at all until I read some of the comments after Lindsay’s post and felt compelled. In all these matters God is concerned with relationships, peace among brotheren, and true worshipers of Him.
As far as Lindsay’s convictions about natural living, I couldn’t agree more! Don’t let others steer you away from what the Lord is teaching you-it’s beautiful and will be beneficial.