The book of Proverbs is a guide for pursuing godly wisdom in our daily lives. In this four-week study, we will read a selection of topical proverbs covering different aspects of wisdom, from how to interact with our friends, families, and neighbors, to fearing God and keeping His commands. No matter the subject, these proverbs urge us to wrestle with and reflect on our own response to them. To help you better engage with the proverbs in this reading plan, we have provided you with a short introduction and reflection questions for each day.
Gluttony and generosity are opposites: one involves self-motivated overconsumption, while the other focuses on selfless and sacrificial giving. One makes us sick; one makes others well. The true problem with gluttony is not about how much we consume. It has to do with our ability to practice self-control, an essential component of generosity. Generosity is always an exercise in self-control because it requires us to give when our instinct is to keep. Consider how these proverbs link gluttony and generosity together and let their wisdom hold up a mirror for you.
Reflection Questions:
Think of a time you withheld, knowing you should have been generous. Why did you withhold your generosity?
What appetites have a hold on your heart? How does gluttony contradict generosity?
What sort of poverty do you think is being described in Proverbs 23:19–21?
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52 thoughts on "Generosity and Gluttony"
I am always a giver of material things.
This devotion challenged my giving of the immaterial I’m my responses to people already in my life. I realised I have a tendency to give my time mostly when it benefits me or when there is gain for me. And I reserve my kindness for people who have treated me well. This has challenged me to confront my generosity in kindness, compassion and love.
I am always a giver of material things.
Praying for you, Grace.
Give unto others as god lead it is better to give then to recieve!
Hi Brooke. This s sounds just like my grandmother. My mom and dad have helped her for years… it hasn’t been fun or easy and it has been a burden since my sisters and I were very young. All I can say is my parents continue to forgive and sacrificially give because of who god is and out of love. They don’t do it perfectly. They vent and crack under the pressure. Finally after 30 years (intense past 10) she is going into a care facility so it won’t be on my mom and dad to give her the practically constant care she needs while they are both aging and still working as well. Lord willing Medicaid comes through for her. It is hard to watch and also a heavy burden to bear the weight of others. Pray! But also know if you love there will be treasure in heaven for you!!! Your children will see it and bless you. Like we do for my parents. Praying for your family today.
Lord help me
Thank you!!
(1) Think of a time you withheld, knowing you should have been generous. Why did you withhold your generosity? My memory here is not good. Lord draw to my attention any ways in which I have withheld generosity when you called me to be generous.
(2) What appetites have a hold on your heart? How does gluttony contradict generosity? With the foils of gluttony and generosity mirroring each other, it’s hard for me to see… I think I was brought up in a generous household. And I have certainly “used” generosity to feed my own insecurity and ego. Pride can be such an issue with me.
(3) What sort of poverty do you think is being described in Proverbs 23:19–21? I think the gluttony described here is a poverty of hope. I think when life seems very short and very dark and very dangerous it is very easy to think what is best to escape it through numbing. Flying high on wine or drugs. Gorging yourself on pleasure.
Thank you! I attend Al-Anon over Zoom nearly every day, and it has been such a blessing!
Prayed for you Grace, Pam, Gina and Brooke ❤️❤️❤️
Thank you all for sharing your thoughts on generosity and gluttony. Your perspectives gave me a lot to consider and pray about.
KRISTI: thank you for your scripture and prayer. Your words especially struck my heart.
All who have asked for prayer: I am joining our SRT sisters in prayer for comfort, peace, and wisdom in your circumstances.
Same here. I am always shopping and it’s for things I do not need. I get rid of everything and it’s just like I start again
Praying for you Gina
I am holding back generosity right now. I have been struggling with the option to help my mother who has repeatedly made bad choices and lied to my husband and I, even though we have helped bc of God’s financial blessings and helping us give wisdom to her. She is showing signs of deep depression/anxiety and memory lapse and can’t function on her own and has lost everything. She has walked out on my grandparents who have been trying to help with her health and support her financially and she disrespected them and said she didn’t want their help and to stay out of her life. She has not called or asked for help from me but a relative who she has been staying with has been helping and now she(the relative) is calling and asking for my help. Every time I can get my mother on the phone to talk to her to tell her I’m worried and give her suggestions on getting help from a doctor or anything she says she is fine and rushes me off the phone. My husband refuses to give her any of our time. I feel hopeless because deep down I want to help but don’t want to bring struggles on my marriage or put my family on the line when my mother doesn’t want the help from me. I just continue to pray God with open her heart and clear her mind to see her family cares and to repent and ask for help from the people who where trying to help all along. I feel like it’s not my job to chase her down. I’m 4 months pregnant with a toddler and want to keep this baby as healthy as possible and my family safe. I continue to pray God will help me through and give me the wisdom to make wise decisions for my immediate family and my mother. I know we are suppose to forgive 7×70 times and I do forgive her because we all are not perfect, I just pray I’m making the right decision by holding out to see if she comes to reality about her decisions. I am loving this Proverbs study and I am so thankful for God’s word!
Gina Snow – Praying for you and your situation. God knows you and He loves you and He holds you in His righteous right hand.
You may want to find where Al-Anon meetings are held and attend a few meetings. It is a support group for the families of alcoholics.
May God bless you and keep you and turn His face upon you and be gracious.
I feel like I can definitely be a glutton and lack self control. Sometimes my generosity is just to make up for my failures I’m feeling bad about. Trying to relieve some guilt and or physically get rid of the things I don’t need to jumpstart a better a way forward… I bought something I don’t need? Oh let’s get rid of half my clothes. But it’s a cycle and not healthy and never stops me from over spending or over eating.
Hi Gina, I have just prayed for wisdom, comfort, strength and provision for you.
Praying for you Grace, and Pam, and Gina! And all you ladies in this wonderful group. This study has been great and I’m glad I have found SRT!
(1) I have withheld my time from God most of my life and others. I have chosen what to do with my time and disregarded advice from others. Now I am paying the price for that time wasted. I withheld my time because I was possessive over it and still am. Everytime I have withheld generosity it is because I fear for not having enough or because I have worked hard for what I have and don’t want to give it up. I have to remind myself that Christ came so that we could have life and have it abundantly John 10:10.
(2) Material stuff is what has a hold on my heart right now. Gluttony contradicts generosity because it is the complete opposite of it. Gluttony is never satisfied and always wanting more or “the next best thing.” While generosity lets go and delights in sharing. There is a sense of peace and satisfaction that goes along with being generous. Generosity is light and gluttony is heavy.
(3) I think the poverty described in Proverbs 23:19-21 is a riches to rags kind of poverty. Those who overindulge take for granted their blessing and are eventually consumed by them. Possess your possessions or they’ll possess you.
This was exactly my answer. I’m very selfish with my time.
I feel the Lord showing me that these verses about being generous isn’t just referring to our material resources. I believe they also refer to our time and talents. Sometimes those resources can be harder to give up. I know that my daughter is showing me how to be more generous with those resources.
I am doing an end of year fast with my church and I usually will over indulge when it comes time to break and that behaviour has spilt over to my finances to the point that I am in lack. I found a teaching on the Lord’s prayer when they broke down why scripture says give us this day our daily bread. Thinking about what God gives us what we need on a daily for us to be content with that and trust that more will come and even if it doesn’t God has a plan he will never leave us
Recently in my life, I have had a chance to withhold good from someone who I think did not deserve my help. In my mind, I think she was a fair weather friend, who likes to take things and never truly is concerned about other people, and in my thoughts I assume she was like one of the foolish virgins who is around to ask others to share their oil, again and again, who enjoys the benefits of a loving community but does not want to work hard to get the oil herself. I asked God should I say no to her in this case? Should I just say I am busy? This is just a personal experience and the Lord will give wisdom for case by case on how to say or act. But in this particular case, the Lord chastised me and He wanted me to be like Jesus to this person, to continue to give and help her, and not to judge the situation by my limited understanding. He is the One who judges that she deserves my help, and He is the one who judges that I am the helper in this case (though I felt used by this person). Feelings could be deceiving I learnt. So I decided to humble myself, and obeyed and helped the best that I could (with some resentment in my heart). Fast forwarding, God has rewarded me generously for what I did, and He helped me to clear the bitterness and resentment that I asked Him to remove for me- just like this verse in Proverbs we read today that God will repay you for what you have given to others.
I am not saying in all cases we will allow people to walk over us, to take our time, efforts because people can pretend very well they need help (like the 5 foolish virgins parable in Matthew 25), but seeking God in each scenario, He will lead you and He will shed light to every hidden things and teach us the way to go. Praise God. He is the God of All Wisdom, and sees all things. Bless you sisters.
Praying for you Grace and the wisdom God will lead you to the right decision. My condolences to your loss.
Praying for Gina and your husband. May the Lord give you strength, grace, comfort and rest during this time. May He restore and heal what was lost and broken in your relationship. God is the God of possibilities, He created a human’s heart and He for sure can change a stony heart back to him.
That was in reply to Searching.
So so true. Thank you for your post.
praying for you Grace!
People living on the street/the homeless.
Gina, thanks for being vulnerable and opening your heart to share your struggle. I am praying with you, and I agree with you that you shall receive guidance and direction from Him to know what you should do and be empowered to take the steps needed for you and your family. In Jesus name!
I need intercession. My husband is an alcoholic. He also doesn’t want to be married anymore and has filed for divorce. It’s been two years since he’s filed, and it’s been drawn out due to him wanting me to be as ready as possible to be on my own. But with COVID and my being laid off, I think I’m about as prepared as I’ll ever be. Reading today’s Word, I stuck trying to differentiate between being gracious and generous to my husband in his personal turmoil and spiritual darkness (he’s backslidden) and being codependent and endangering myself psychologically and spiritually. He hasn’t been physically violent, but his lapses of alcoholism scare me and I cannot reach out to his family not do we have mutual friends anymore. I’ve reached the point where I have helped and given him all I can. But, as Churchmouse said, the question is ”Have I reached to the point of ’enough?’” Please pray for wisdom on my leaving. I’m not divorcing him. He’s filed to divorce me. I will not abandon him in his sickness. But I cannot stay if he doesn’t want me and I’m not sure if I’m actually causing harm. I’m not asking for advice so much because one size doesn’t really fit all. But I need some real intercession. I know I don’t know you ladies personally, but God knows us all and we are united in Christ’s body and also through SRT. I am starting a fast today for two weeks. Can you all pray for me to fix my eyes on Jesus and for me to see and hear from Him the way I should go?
Sending prayers on your behalf and aching with you through this difficulty
I’m praying for you, Grace. I’m so sorry for your loss. Sending prayers and wishes of comfort and peace to you and your family. And I’m asking God to pour out wisdom and clarity upon you, so you know what is best. Much love to you, my sister in Christ
PAM K – I am praying for you and your husband as you deal with this surgery and whatever follows. My husband had a recent scare with that issue but praise God he is OK at least for now.
I think Proverbs 23:19-21 is describing spiritual poverty. If our heart is right with God, we won’t be desiring the life of a drunkard or glutton.
GRACE – I missed my grandmother’s funeral due to distance/travel time and expense. I had a quiet time at my home during the time of her funeral. Our son did same when he missed my sister’s funeral and he lit a candle and had a private observance. Your dad will love you whatever your decision. Praying for your heart in your loss and for the protection over you and your students.
Praying for You Grace with this difficult COVID situation. Praying for wisdom for all, and comfort as you grieve. From this lesson, I struggle at times with being generous. I love to give but can get nervous if our finances seem tight. For the last year, we have been unemployed, so our finances greatly changed. I have been seeking and praying about giving during this time. Some days I still struggle, but there has been a change in my heart. We are off to the hospital soon for my husbands surgery for prostate cancer- thanks for your prayers. We are nervous at times yet ready to have it behind him. The Lord has guided us to this day.
So, so true Searching! My thoughts exactly. Who are we to decide who gets the blessing and who does not? Haven’t we all messed up and needed help before? And didn’t Jesus say we are to forgive not 7 times but 7×70 times for the same fault? I don’t know that’s it’s wise to just be a free for all, but God puts convictions in our hearts for a reason. I myself have a bad habit of excusing myself out of the situation and justifying it with the other persons character. “ Why would I bless her? She doesn’t like me anyway. She won’t appreciate it.” Or “I can’t lend them money, they don’t even support themselves.”
Additionally, when we keep these things to ourselves and don’t share, we rob others of the goodness of God. In turn, we become spiritually poor and destitute. Our riches in heaven, the ones that will truly matter, will be so little.
Definitely praying for you and your family, Grace. I’m so sorry for your loss.
Searching- You are not alone in that process. That is exactly the same thing I said. I judge the situation before deciding to give. God knows their situation and they’re not accountable to us. Lord help us to have eyes and a heart like yours, may we see all things through the blood of Your Son Jesus Christ.
@GRACE…You are most certainly in my prayers. I had a similar decision a few months ago.
Lord Jesus, only You can know where Grace needs to be and what she is called to do, wherever she may be. Please Shepherd, guide her today SO clearly, that she would know the path You have set. I ask You to bring unexpected blessings to the situation either way. Also praying healing from illness and heartbreak. Amen.
I feel the Lord putting his finger on the way I can be gluttonous with my time and my heart. I can give material things but I can be resentful of people costing my time and of me having to loosen control of my day. I find myself afraid I won’t get time for myself or rest, when, of course, true rest is found in Him.
Kristi, I’m agreeing with you in prayer, & Searching, I have at times had your same feelings. But I now examine my own heart in trying to be generous, & leave judgement to God, for only He knows what is going on behind the scenes.
Grace, praying for you, that you’ll find peace in the decisions you make about the funeral. May God comfort the hearts of everyone in your family.
Grace, my heart breaks for you as that is a tough situation. Lord, lay your hand on Grace and give her comfort as she makes her decision. Wrap your arms around her family and give them comfort as well during this difficult time. In your precious name, Amen.
I see need all around, Dear Father show me ways to be generous with love.
If you ladies have a moment today could you keep me and my family in your prayers? My grandmother, my father’s last living parent, passed away yesterday. It was expected but I know he will take this hard and feel very alone. Unfortunately, the funeral will be far away in a current COVID hotspot. I am a college instructor and am struggling to know if I should fly to the funeral to comfort my dad and potentially come back and put my students at risk or skip the funeral, even though my dad may need me, to protect my students and local family/friends. Just to compound all this my mom was recently diagnosed with COVID and may not even be able to attend the funeral. Tough decisions for me today, although I’m trying to approach them with generosity, and I’d really appreciate your prayers.
Thank you, Searching, for your transparency. I can relate to your “Who do I think I am, anyway?” question. My withholding generousity may be more about fear than judgment. I tend to judge those “with” more than those “without” but it is judgment in any case, and certainly not my place. Good Wednesday to y’all! I am so appreciating this study which has brought me back to journaling.
How does gluttony contradict generosity?
Gluttony is all related to self and storing up more than we need for ourselves. Generosity is giving away-even when it feels like there isn’t any to give.
I’ve never thought about these two words together like this and both relating to self control- A fruit of the spirit.
Kristi I love your comment of pointing back to Jesus as the ultimate example of generosity. Amen to that!
God set the ultimate example of generosity when He generously gave us His Son. It’s mind blowing to think about.
“He who did not withhold or spare [even] His own Son but gave Him up for us all, will He not also with Him freely and graciously give us all [other] things?”
Romans 8:32 AMPC
Father, thank you for giving us Your Son, who died to take away our sins and rose again, that we too may have the hope of eternal life in Him. Thank you for every spiritual blessing that is mine in Christ Jesus (Eph. 1:3). Forgive me for withholding my love, time, money, and possessions from others. I want to have Your heart of generosity, to share the gospel through my words and actions. I want my giving to point to the greatest Gift, given by You, the great Giver. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Lord open my eyes to those in need, you have given me all I need, let me now help others in your glorious name. Amen
A time (many times) when I withheld and should have (or could have?) been generous – why? Usually being judgmental which leads to pride, among other things … I need to let God do his job and focus on my own, instead of considering whether someone is deserving, and if so, just how deserving are they? Why are they in need? Are they working hard enough and doing all they can for themselves? Those questions are just the tip of the iceberg and they are making me squirm – who do I think I am anyway?
It’s important to define “enough” for once you know that it is then easier to be generous. How much money is enough? How much savings is enough? Is one car enough? Is a used car enough? How many pairs of shoes is enough? How many trips to Starbucks is enough? How much volunteer time is enough? Whatever is beyond “enough” is the opportunity for generosity and sacrificial giving. Let’s be a blessing with whatever we can.