I lost a good chunk of time yesterday morning – I went shopping. Now, it wasn’t all for me – there were gifts that were needed, and some other household items. But, after I thought I was finished, I remembered a massive sale that was going on…
So, I ended up at a Christian bookstore that is going out of business. I still needed to purchase a gift, and thought I would check out what else they had before heading home.
Needless to say, I found the gift I was searching for, plus some things for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, graduations, birthdays, and even a book that is on my Top 10 list! (The book is Dear Mary: Lessons from the Mother of Jesus for the Modern Day Mom. If you’ve read it, please let me know. If not, you can take a look at it here…) I know I was in the store for at least an hour, and I’m pretty sure I could have stayed longer. It was one of those times I wanted to make sure I saw EVERYTHING, so I wouldn’t miss out on the spectacular deals…
In the end, I spent $60 and saved almost $600. In one sense, I was thrilled that I was able to purchase those items at an amazing discount and was able to stock up my gift reserves. On the other hand, I felt kind of guilty for getting everything so inexpensively. But, with such unbelievable deals, it was hard to say no!
At one point, I was holding about 10 items in my arms, and was having a conversation with a fellow bargain hunter. We were talking about all of the books and how there were so many that we wanted to read. As we kept adding more and more to our piles, she looked at me and asked,
“at what point, I wonder, does this become gluttony?”
That question, while somewhat rhetorical, still made me pause. I pulled back my outstretched hand, and looked down at all my ‘loot’ I was carrying.
All I could think was – wait, gluttony is a sin.
Even though these were tremendous bargains, and I could get a lot of things I normally couldn’t afford, how much did I really need? At what point does just one more become a problem?
What does the bible say about Gluttony?
After I made my purchases and headed home, I was still feeling a bit conflicted about some of my purchases. While I did get some gifts that will be perfect to have on-hand, I also bought more books than was probably reasonable…
So, I decided to look up some verses about gluttony. Again – I knew it was a sin, but, honestly – the first thing that popped into my head was the horrific Brad Pitt movie, Seven. That memory alone should have been enough to make me question my actions…
1. The men should do what?
The first passage I found was in Deuteronomy. It was written by Moses to the Israelites, and this passage outlines some principles for how they should live.
If someone has a stubborn and rebellious son who does not obey his father and mother and will not listen to them when they discipline him, his father and mother shall take hold of him and bring him to the elders at the gate of his town. They shall say to the elders, “This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious. He will not obey us. He is a glutton and a drunkard.” Then all the men of his town are to stone him to death You must purge the evil from among you. All Israel will hear of it and be afraid. Deuteronomy 21:18-21
I understand we are not part of the covenant between God and the Israelites. However, the idea that obedience and disobedience each carries a consequence still holds true today. At that time, the act of gluttony was serious enough to be stoned to death! That was a bit mind-blowing for me. I was definitely not looking at it as that big of a deal. After all, how many times had I heard the phrase, ‘Glutton for punishment,’ or a bunch of flippant comments about being a glutton. It was always just treated really lightly. Certainly, not even close to being on the same scale as death…
2. More than just food and drink
I once heard Proverbs described as a book to teach you how to live a Christian life. Solomon wrote these verses to offer guidance on how to live from day-to-day. As I am the type of person who loves How To books, I read this pretty early on in my studies.
Listen, my son, and be wise,
and set your heart on the right path:
Do not join those who drink too much wine
or gorge themselves on meat,
for drunkards and gluttons become poor
and drowsiness clothes them in rags.
Proverbs 23:19-21
I must have skimmed over these verses – or didn’t expand gluttony past eating and drinking…
While I was happy to see this passage doesn’t talk about death as punishment, the consequence is still not one I would like.
To become poor… Shall come to poverty… On their way to ruin…
No translation or study bible explanation makes it sound any better.
So, when does it become gluttony?
I read the passages in the bible, but it wasn’t as clear as I would have liked it to be. Where was that line that I just wasn’t supposed to cross? So, I did a quick Google search and here’s what came up…
I will now refer back to the definition of gluttony – excessive indulgence.
2,650,000 results. (That, to me, is excessive.)
I looked at the first few and determined they were all pretty much the same. I did take one quiz, and apparently, I’m in the OK range, but then I stopped. If I would have continued to look on page after page, then I’m pretty sure the quiz should have given me a much lower score. Because then I would have been guilty of the exact thing I was trying to avoid – excessive indulgence.
I guess I don’t know exactly when wanting and having food or drink or money or things turns into an act of gluttony. But, I do know how it felt when the woman asked me that question – not great. So, I believe it becomes a matter of paying attention to, and following the guidance of, the Holy Spirit.
Following after the Holy Spirit leads to life and peace, but following after the old nature leads to death, because the old sinful nature within us is against God. It never did obey God’s laws and it never will. Romans 8:6-7
In the end, I will do my best to be a better listener and follower and encourage my children to do the same. After all, we are on this journey together, and I know they are intently watching my steps and following my path – I need to make sure I’m on the right one.
Your thoughts?
What do you think? At what point do these things turn into acts of gluttony? I would love to hear your thoughts and experiences. I look forward to hearing from all of you!
