1-3 “When you sit to dine with a ruler, note well what is before you,and put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony. Do not crave his delicacies, for that food is deceptive.”
Proverbs 23:1-3 (NIV)
What's this proverb about? It may be simply this: Just because you can, doesn't mean you should. Easy ain't right; it's just easy.
Gluttony can happen, especially when plenty of food is available and money is no object. Once it happens, either the practice or the provider might draw you into its clutches. Then you could get all-too-quickly owned by someone or something else.
Deception, seduction and addiction happens. Beware of permissions too freely given.
To avoid having to put a knife to our throats, we need wisdom. Here's how this wisdom is often found:
IN BALANCE: In basketball, when the floor is balanced, rebounding improves. When life is balanced, wise living improves.
IN MODERATION: Indulgence blinds the eye, not just bloats the belly; but moderation restores sight to the wise.
IN RESTRAINT: This means saying no to yourself when all other circumstances around you invite you to say yes. Wisdom favors those restrained.
THROUGH PATIENCE: St. Augustine said, "Patience is the companion of wisdom." This means that to find wisdom, look for patience first. They hang out together.
When things get out of whack in life, it may be because we've simply gone too far because we can. “Ought” is a better word to live by than “can.” Be careful of any self-talk that says, "Just because I can."
Reflect: How do you react to easy invitations? How are you doing in the areas of balance, moderation, patience, restraint? Where could you use some help and encouragement?
A prayer to consider: LORD, help me to live by the word “ought” more than the word “can.” Deliver me from any form of gluttony. Don't let the line "just because I can" get to me and undo me.
I need your Spirit and your Word to make me wise. Thank you for Jesus who makes me strong and leads the way to victory!
