The word gluttony is never really explored in any depth, at least in the churches I've attended. I wanted to know the real truth about this deadly sin (see Galatians 5:19-21). Is it something that is limited to food or does it extend further?
According to my favorite source, Wikipedia:
Gluttony is derived from the Latin gluttire, meaning to gulp down or swallow, means over-indulgence and over-consumption of food, drink, or wealth items to the point of extravagance or waste. In some Christian denominations, it is considered one of the seven deadly sins - a misplaced desire of food or its withholding from the needy.
To the point of extravagance or waste. Ah - so let me ask this question. If I'm at an all-you-can-eat buffet restaurant with a friend, and my friend puts a large quantity of food on her plate and only eats a fraction of it and leaves the majority of it on her plate, then goes up to get another plate and proceeds to do the same thing again, is she being a glutton, or is she exercising self-control? It seems to me that leaving it on the plate is very wasteful.
The right to swing my fist ends where the other man's nose begins.
- Oliver Wendell Holmes
You may argue, "She's paying for her meal so she has a right to leave most of it if she wants to!" Well, maybe - but the restaurant has to throw that food away (I mean, we hope they do)! Isn't that a waste in your book? It is in mine. I don't think there's a right or wrong - I'm just tossing questions out to make us think. If you haven't picked up on this - I was raised in a house where the "happy plate" was encouraged at every meal!
One might argue also that if you were to eat the entire meal, it would add pounds on to your frame and that would certainly manifest itself as gluttony. That's also a valid point. If gluttony is one of the seven deadly sins, then wouldn't it be a good idea to either order a smaller meal - see if the meal can be cut in half for half the price? Some restaurants do that. There are also senior menus at most restaurants that offer smaller portions. At some restaurants the kids menu is available for everyone regardless of age. If all you're going to do is leave most of the food on the plate - to be thrown away, then why not try to alleviate the waste and make it easier on your pocket book?
For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ ... - Matthew 25:35-40
Some years back, I met a lady who is blind and basically home-bound. She did not have a lot of support around her. She was around the same age as me, but was not financially or physically able to pursue much in the way of education. Often I would go to a restaurant and order a large meal on purpose and ask if they would mind boxing half of it to go. I took the boxed portion to my blind friend so she could have something good to eat. There are some real needs out there and I wonder if we're looking around us or if it's just all about us - and we just don't see the need - or want to see the need.
Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed. - Proverbs 19:17
There is someone who can benefit greatly from your excess. Don't be quick to dismiss that statement by saying, "I don't have any excess - I can barely make ends meet." Think about it and pray about it. You can bet God will point out the need around you if you ask Him to. He will do it! Do needs extend beyond physical nutrition? Sure they do - but our Lord always ALWAYS met the physical need before dealing with the spiritual need. To preach to a hungry person is futile. To satisfy that hunger and THEN begin to share the gospel of Christ - that's better.
I've always said that churches have it all backwards. They have the service then the potluck lunch. They should really let everyone sleep in late (I like that idea a LOT), then come together and eat lunch - then have preaching. Meet the physical need then delve into the spiritual need. Has anyone listened to my idea yet? Well, no. Will anyone listen? Oh, I doubt it. What I say carries very little weight! I have no influence on the powers that be. I know that's a shock, but oh well.
Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. - Hebrews 13:16
There are old people who live all alone who are too proud or stubborn to mention a need, but there's usually a need - especially for another person's company. An elderly person who has lost their mate can certainly benefit from time you spend with them. They may have a need for food as well. Can you spare some time for a lonely elderly person who is widowed? Getting old is not for wimps - and being old and having to live alone is really not for wimps!
As children of a great and loving God, we should dig deep and ask God what we can do (need to do) for a fellow human being to make their day a little better - (and make ours better in the process). It's called charity (and it is voluntary) - it's what Christians are supposed to be all about. Didn't we have the greatest teacher in Christ? If you don't believe that, you'd better go back and read the book again. Just sayin'...
Don't be sucked in to the "it's all about me" philosophy of this world. To live a "give-me" life is to live a very lonely and isolated life. If you refuse to notice and meet the needs of your fellow man, you're missing all the wonderful blessings that God wants to bestow on your life. I don't want to miss out on God's bounty, do you?
Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor. - Proverbs 22:9
Unfortunately, there is a misconception in our country that larger is better when it comes to fast food portions. I ask a question of the fast-food industry in my article entitled, "The Fast-Food Super-Size Mentality: Will This Trend Ever End?" For the sake of the health of the next generation, I hope the answer is "yes"!
http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Fast-Food-Super-Size-Mentality:-Will-This-Trend-Ever-End?&id=7122223
Oh you could not have lived another moment without knowing what we are celebrating today! Today is INTERNATIONAL SKEPTICS DAY!!!!!! So if you know a skeptic, or are a skeptic - then knock yourself out!!!!!!!!!
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