Pleasures

Reading for Today: Proverb Chapter 21

Gold Nugget

Verse 17: “He who loves pleasure will be a poor man; He who loves wine and oil will not be rich.”

Commentary

Too much of a good thing can be bad. We have heard that old saying, but the overwhelming evidence in the Unites States proves that we don’t take it to heart. When it comes to moderation, we don’t have a corner on the market unless it’s a meat market. Whether it’s how we eat, drink or live we consume it like there’s no tomorrow. We are “pleasure” driven. Everything we do is building up to the next moment of pleasure. We sacrifice relationships for moments of pleasure and we sacrifice our health for moments of pleasure. Many of us choose a life of poverty because the pleasure of staying in bed takes priority over going to work. Many of life’s pleasures are okay in moderation. We should be able to enjoy life’s pleasures as a result of our hard work, but these things are not what we live for. If we live for the big house and fancy car we are missing the real pleasure of a life filled with love, joy and peace. The pleasure of family, friends and the relationship with our Heavenly father is the real abundant life. Today’s “gold nugget” reminds us that, “He who loves pleasure will be a poor man; He who loves wine and oil will not be rich.” If we measure our happiness by our earthly pleasures, we will surely miss the boat. Don’t sacrifice the main course for the entrees.

    

Prayer

Lord, I am thankful for the blessings you have provided for me and my family. I am grateful for the extra pleasures that you have made available to us, but I want to keep them in proper perspective. I want to remember the Blesser over the blessings.  Amen

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