“Your heavenly Father wants you to enjoy good things, but not to the determent of your physical, emotional, mental or spiritual health.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – July 18, 2022
If you find honey, eat just enough—too much of it, and you will vomit. Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house—too much of you and he will hate you. Proverbs 25:16-17
Good things are a gift from God to be enjoyed without excess. “Every good and perfect gift is from above…” (James 1:17). Your heavenly Father wants you to enjoy good things, but not to the determent of your physical, emotional, mental or spiritual health. Food is good but too much is bad. Some pleasures lose their sweetness with excessive use. Do your appetites drive you, or do you relegate them to disciplined living?
Also, be careful not to take advantage of friends, neighbors and family. Do you give more than you take in your relationships? Are people glad to see you coming or are they reluctant to talk as their body language retreats? Make it a goal to breathe life into those around you and avoid smothering them with too much attention. Excessive good deeds can be perceived as intrusive and inappropriate. Choose quality over quantity.
“First, help me never to tell a lie. Second, give me neither poverty nor riches! Give me just enough to satisfy my needs” (Proverbs 30:8, NLT).
How do you know how much is enough? If you feel stuffed and uncomfortable after a delicious meal it’s probably too much. If this becomes a chronic occurrence you will suffer from being overweight and all its aliments. Relationally, if friends or neighbors begin to avoid you, you have probably crossed a line. Back off and let them initiate conversation and engagement in social activities. Only pursue where you have permission. Social graces grow in an environment of respect and sensitivity. Show up at appropriate times.
Above all else, engage with the Almighty and His agenda. Disciples practice discipline, so seek strength and security from your Savior. You are an excellent example of Christ when you avoid self-indulgence and substitute it with unselfish service. Your sacrifice, motivated by love, lures others to the Lord. Learn to practice His presence and you will understand what is just enough for you and those around you. Delight in His desires.
Oswald Chambers warns against an indulgent attitude: “Our state of mind is powerful in its effects. It can be the enemy that penetrates right into our soul and distracts our mind from God. There are certain attitudes we should never dare to indulge. If we do, we will find they have distracted us from faith in God. Until we get back into a quiet mood before Him, our faith is of no value, and our confidence in the flesh and in human ingenuity is what rules our lives.”
Prayer
Heavenly Father, align my desires with your desires, so my attitude is influenced by gratitude and not by the need for more, through Christ’s love and in Jesus’ name, amen.
Application
Am I content in Christ with just enough food and finances?
Related Reading
Proverbs 21:17; 23:1-2; Luke 12:22; 1 Corinthians 9:25-27
Worship Resource
Elevation Worship: Jireh/You Are Enough
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