TOPIC: GLUTTONY IS NOT A CHRISTIAN VIRTUE.
MEMORISE:
But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. Daniel 1:8
READ: Proverbs 23:1-8.
1 When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before thee:
2 And put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite.
3 Be not desirous of his dainties: for they are deceitful meat.
4 Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom.
5 Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.
6 Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats:
7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.
8 The morsel which thou hast eaten shalt thou vomit up, and lose thy sweet words.
MESSAGE:
While it is true that the Bible describes alcohol as a mocker, it is not the only thing that can arouse a deadly appetite; food can and has done great havoc to the destinies of many people in history. The story of Esau and the red pottage with which he exchanged his birthright is a case in point (Hebrews 12:16). The Bible says:
“Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh: For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.” Proverbs 23:20-21
In the Bible reading of today we are advised to be cautious when we are confronted with delicacies. Some classic examples of people who understood this principle were Daniel and his friends Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. According to Daniel 1:8, they purposed in their hearts not to allow themselves to be carried away by the delicacies of the king so that they would not forget where they were coming from and where they were going. It takes self-discipline not to be a glutton, especially in the time of need. You should not allow your enemies to know when you are hungry or else, they can seize the opportunity to attack you.
The Bible says:
“Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it. Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee.”
Proverbs 25:16-17
While the Bible does ask us to rejoice with those who rejoice (Romans 12:15), we should beware of excessive eating. Indeed, Proverbs 23:2 says that if you know that you have a large appetite and like to eat, when you feel tempted to succumb to gluttony, hold yourself back as though someone were pointing a knife at your neck to restrain you.
Apostle Paul’s statement about subduing the body (1 Corinthians 9:27) is not restricted to sexual immorality and alcohol consumption, but also excessive food intake. A word is enough for the wise.
PRAYER POINT:
Father, please don’t allow my appetite to destroy my destiny, in Jesus’ name.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Jeremiah 27-31
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
HYMN 24: TAKE MY LIFE AND DLET IT BE.
Take my life and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
*Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in endless praise.
Take my hands and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love.
Take my feet and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee.
Take my voice and let me sing,
Always, only for my King.
Take my lips and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee.
Take my silver and my gold,
Not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect and use
Every pow’r as Thou shalt choose.
Take my will and make it Thine,
It shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart, it is Thine own,
It shall be Thy royal throne.
Take my love, my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee.
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