Beech Tree News Network

    The subject of gluttony is misunderstood by many. Sometimes, after some big meal, someone will jokingly say, “I hope the preacher doesn’t preach on gluttony on Sunday.” When I have preached against such sins as smoking, drinking alcohol, and other things, some will try to justify their sins by asking, “People today are guilty of eating too much. Isn’t gluttony a sin, too?” Friends, gluttony is a sin. What we fail to recognize is that the sin of gluttony encompasses more than merely eating too much. Gluttony is indicative of a wrong attitude and a wrong manner of life that needs to be corrected.

        The word “glutton” or “gluttonous” is found four times in the KJV (Deut. 21:20; Prov. 23:21; Matt. 11:29; Lk. 7:34). (The ASV, NKJ, and ESV include Prov. 23:20, 28:7, and Titus 1:12.) The Holman Bible Dictionary defines gluttony as, “...greedy and voracious eating... Associated with stubbornness, rebellion, disobedience, drunkenness, and wastefulness (Deut. 21:20). A more general ... term ... good-for-nothing is reflected as, “wastrel”, “profligate”, “riotous”. When Jesus was accused of being “a glutton and a drunkard” (Matt. 11:19) it was in this expanded sense of being one given to loose and excessive living. Gluttony makes one sleepy, leads to laziness, and eventually to poverty (Prov. 23:21).” (p. 656).

    By knowing the meaning of “glutton,” we see how insulting the people were to Jesus when they called Him a “glutton” and “drunkard” (Matt. 11:19; Lk. 7:34). When the Pharisees saw Him teaching the publicans, sinners, and others, they turned this into an opportunity for scorn (Think: “Birds of a feather flock together”); rather than what it was — an opportunity Christ took to teach those who were lost in sin (Matt. 9:11-13). They were calling Jesus a lazy man with loose morals who was associating with folks who were like-minded!

    This, however, was not the case at all! Jesus did not condone folks’ sins. He went to teach and bring them out of their sins. To Zacchaeus, Jesus said, “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Lk. 19:10), and this included him (Lk. 19:9). To Nicodemus, Jesus told him what to do to be in the kingdom of God (Jn. 3:3, 5). Jesus knew how folks showed favoritism (Matt. 5:46-47), but Jesus was not a “respecter of persons”! Jesus was not a glutton. Rather, this insult was hurled at Him because the Jews did not like what He was doing.

    When we understand what the word “glutton” means, we must say that the subject of “gluttony” has not been ignored or “glossed-over” by any true preacher of the gospel! When sins such as debauchery, loose living, laziness, etc., are condemned (cf. Acts 24:25; Phil. 4:6; etc.), then gluttony has been condemned!

    The question is: “Are we guilty of gluttony?” Let us examine ourselves and see whether or not we are guilty of loose morals, laziness, idleness, and the like (II Cor. 13:5). Are we idle or lazy in the Lord’s work? We better not be (I Cor. 15:58). Are we guilty of having a sense of “entitlement” when it comes to spiritual blessings? May this never be the case, but may we always recognize the Source of all spiritual blessings and be thankful (Eph. 1:3; Heb. 5:8-9; Col. 3:15b, 17). Gluttony is a terrible sin. However, we can be forgiven and can avoid future temptation by being in a right relationship with Christ Jesus (Mk. 16:16; Jas. 4:7-8; Eph. 6:11; etc.).

-- You are invited to visit with the Caneyville church of Christ. Times of services: Sun.: 10:00 am, 10:45 am, 5:00 pm; Wed.: 7:00 pm. Website: http://caneyvillechurchofchrist.com Tune in to our radio program 101.5 FM at 5:30 am, Mon-Fri. Questions? Call: (270) 589-4167