Boundaries

Reading for Today: Proverb Chapter 23

Gold Nugget

Verse 20-21: "20 Do not mix with winebibbers, or with gluttonous eaters of meat; 21 For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, And drowsiness will clothe a man with rags.”  

Commentary

For Christians that have been in the faith for many years, we may have a tendency to sleep through the scriptures that don't seem to pertain to us. We can easily come to the conclusion that company like todays "gold nugget" are far from us and not able to effect us. The real meat of this verse is people who "can't get enough". Whether it be wine, food, or (as mentioned earlier in the chapter) money, being so consumed with an unquenchable desire for anything other than God will put you in the same spiritual state as the drunkard and glutton. Many people have uncontrolled passions and desires that go unchecked. Any of these will have it's toll on those who practice them.

We as Christian are to practice self control and avoid the company of those who do not. I know people that can't take "no" for an answer. I have seen it adults and children. For the adults that get addicted to or consumed by the things of this world, they "will come to poverty". Children that are not taught to have boundaries and limits, will be well conditioned for addictions and abuse. Practice self control for yourself, teach self control to your children, and avoid the company of those who do not practice self control at all.

Prayer

Lord, I want to practice self control in all areas of my life... yes even gluttony. I wan't to have enough self control that I can walk after the spirit and not after the flesh. Also, I will avoid the company of those who have no regard for you principles and teachings. I can minister to those of the world, but can't engage with or be a party to their lifestyles. Amen

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