Generosity and Gluttony
Open Your Bible
Proverbs 3:27-28, Proverbs 11:24-26, Proverbs 19:17, Proverbs 22:9, Proverbs 23:19-21, Proverbs 25:16
BY She Reads Truth
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?
52 thoughts on "Generosity and Gluttony"
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Give unto others as god lead it is better to give then to recieve!
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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.
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Lord help me
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Thank you!!
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(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.
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Thank you! I attend Al-Anon over Zoom nearly every day, and it has been such a blessing!
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Prayed for you Grace, Pam, Gina and Brooke ❤️❤️❤️
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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.
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