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?
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.