October 6 What's Delicious?

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. Do not wear yourself out to get rich. Have the wisdom to show restraint. Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle. ~Proverbs 23:1-5

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. ~1 Timothy 6:6-10

Food is a necessity. You’re probably thinking, “Now that’s an understatement!” Think about it though. Air is a necessity, but we don’t make a big deal about breathing. Water is important. If we don’t drink water, after three days we can be in serious trouble, but we don’t seem to make a big deal about that either. In every society, however, food can play an important role in how people relate to one another.

In many countries, even the poor do their best to serve their guests the best they have. I’ve heard many missionaries talk of being truly humbled when the poor, to whom they have come to serve, offer them a meal, the best of what they have, and the missionary dare not refuse for fear of insulting the host. In our culture, hospitality always includes food. Our little picnic in our driveway a few weeks ago had food as the centerpiece, to encourage our neighbors to feel welcome.

How many of us miss our fellowship time, around food, after worship? That food and fellowship time just seems to add to the warmth of our time together and sends us on our way smiling. Business meetings are often accompanied around a meal. “Let’s do lunch and discuss the details then.”

We let our guard down more around food and seem to be more agreeable on a full stomach. Most people find it unpleasant to think serious thoughts on an empty one. Meals are so important. There’s even a book out by Rosaria Butterfield called, “The Gospel Comes With a House key,” all about how to evangelize the neighborhood by practicing hospitality on a weekly basis, with simple offerings of food as a major component. So, keeping all this in mind, today, both Solomon and Paul are talking about important occasions around food.

“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.” Solomon seems to know that the specialized delicacies that the rich enjoyed were the junk food of his day. We’re sure not talking about salad! Kings could afford meat and fat and lots of sugar! Solomon warns the diner to put a knife to his throat to stop himself from gorging on that feast of delights. It’s not healthy to eat too much of that.

Then he makes what we understand to be a parallel statement when he says, “Do not wear yourself out to get rich. Have the wisdom to show restraint.” This is a hint that Solomon would have agreed with Paul that the love of money is the root of all evil. Besides, he goes on to say, “Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.” There is no real security there, as anyone who suffered losses in the recent recession can painfully remember. A lot of people’s money simply evaporated!

Instead, Paul makes some positive recommendations. “Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.” No need for fancy food. No need for more than enough money. God will take care of you. Be holy. Focus on God and godliness and you will do much better than those who get “fat” with food or money. Interesting how often the two go together. The rich man can buy more of the the fancy, rich, food. But it’s not wise.

Prayer: Father, food and money both easily become more “important” than drawing our sustenance from You. Forgive me for anything in me that fascinates and distracts me from focusing my attention on You, the giver of Life itself. In Jesus’ name, amen.  

Song: More Than Anything