“Responsible eating is a good indicator of responsible living.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – January 13, 2023
When you sit down 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
Responsible eating is a good indicator of responsible living. When you show discipline around the dinner table you tend to exercise discipline in other areas of life. It’s when we drift into indulging our appetite that we harm our bodies. As a whole, portions pleasing to the palate need to decrease as our age increases. Responsible eating means we enjoy a delicious meal without gorging ourselves into gluttony.
Convenience to good food can lead to cravings that spin out of control. An abundance of delicious meals makes us all overweight without moderate intake and exercise. It is entertaining and relationally fulfilling to enjoy a nice meal with friends and family, but wisdom adds temperance and moderation. An undisciplined appetite is destructive and unacceptable to the Lord.
“Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things” (Philippians 3:19).
How can I in good conscience experience excessive eating when most of the world goes to bed hungry? There is a stewardship of food intake that protects my body from excessive weight and invites undernourished bodies to gain weight. How much I eat matters to my health and to the health of others. So, with holy contempt, we keep from wasting food while others waste away. We eat less so others can eat more.
Enjoy the blessing of delicious meals with responsible eating. Dine with an eye on healthy food but in smaller portions. Plan menus so you eat food with forethought and avoid frequenting un-healthy food establishments. Your body will thank you for making food your friend and not your enemy. Do I eat responsibly? Am I careful to limit my cravings for food? Eating is a spiritual transaction and the fruit of the Spirit is “self-control” (Galatians 5:23).
Make mealtime more than a rushed ravishing to satisfy a growling stomach, rather create a dining experience that brings together hearts around a common table of love. Henri Nouwen explains this idea of relational engagement around a meal, “We all need to eat and drink to stay alive. But having a meal is more than eating and drinking. It is celebrating the gifts of life we share. A meal together is one of the most intimate and sacred human events. Around the table we become vulnerable, filling one another’s plates and cups and encouraging one another to eat and drink. Much more happens at a meal than satisfying hunger and quenching thirst. Around the table, we become family, friends, community, yes, a body. That is why it is so important to ‘set’ the table. Flowers, candles, and colorful napkins all help us to say to one another, ‘This is a very special time for us, let’s enjoy it!’” Food becomes a facilitator of loving one another, and, thus… brings glory to God the provider of all good food and friendship.
“So, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).
Prayer
Heavenly Father, remind me that my body is your temple to be cherished and cared for, for your glory, through Christ’s love, and in Jesus’ name, amen.
Application
Consider decreasing your food intake by eating two meals a day, and slowing down your meal time for more conversation, laughter, and lingering longer together.
Related Reading
Deuteronomy 21:20; Proverbs 25:16; 1 Corinthians 9:25-27; 2 Peter 1:6
Worship Resource
Tauren Wells feat. Davies: Worship Medley
Donate
If you are blessed by these daily devotionals please prayerfully consider a donation to support Wisdom Hunters Resources. We are trusting the Lord for His provision.
Download our app!
