If You Eat Like That, Some Will Be Left With Nothing

"Now in giving these instructions I do not praise you, since you come together not for the better but for the worse. For first of all, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it. For there must also be factions among you, that those who are approved may be recognized among you. Therefore when you come together in one place, it is not to eat the Lord's Supper. For in eating, EACH ONE takes his own supper ahead of others; and one is hungry and another is drunk. What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and shame those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you in this? I do not praise you. (1Corinthians 11:17-22)

The Thanksgiving Day gathering is near. After preparation for the meal is complete, all gathered wait for the go ahead to partake. Normally, the one in charge of preparing the table is also the one that gives the permission to begin eating. Everyone at the gathering waits for that permission, yet once permission is granted, each partakes as they desire. Some like dark turkey meat, others like 

cranberries; some like mashed potatoes, others like the turkey dressing. It is understood, each enjoys according to their individual tastes. There also are differences with regard to how people eat: some slowly, others quickly. Without question, once the meal has been prepared, there is very little regard to what another is doing. Each one is focuses on what they want, at their speed. Nevertheless, the one who has prepared the table seems to notice what each one eats and how much of any dish is left over.

It is evident that Paul is admonishing the Corinthian church that partaking of the Lord's Supper should be different than physically eating a meal. It seems he is stressing the importance of partaking worthily, rather than unworthily. There are those who enter church having made themselves ready for it. There are those who enter in unprepared. They have not learned how yet, or are handling what they have learned without devotion. I think Paul is showing the Corinthians that we don't want to discard those who are not yet ready for the Bread of God, the Living Bread. He teaches us how to provide the way for readiness through the keys of the kingdom (Mark 11:22-26; Luke 17:1-6; John 15:1-8). The results will be fewer leaving the gathering with nothing.

"Therefore, whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgement to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world. Therefore, my brethren, when you come together to eat, wait for one another. But if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, lest you come together for judgement." (1 Corinthians 11:27-33)