How does Proverbs 23:21 warn against the dangers of gluttony and drunkenness? The Verse at a Glance “For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and drowsiness will clothe them in rags.” (Proverbs 23:21) Key Observations • Two habits—drunkenness and gluttony—are explicitly linked. • A single outcome—poverty—is promised for both. • “Drowsiness” pictures the sluggish, unproductive life that follows excess. • The warning is presented as a certainty, not a possibility. Why Gluttony Destroys • Consumes resources meant to meet legitimate needs. • Trains the body to demand satisfaction on impulse rather than discipline (Philippians 3:19). • Clouds spiritual alertness; fullness of stomach dulls hunger for God (Luke 21:34). • Undermines witness—self-indulgence contradicts the call to self-control (Titus 2:11-12). Why Drunkenness Destroys • Impairs judgment and moral resistance (Proverbs 31:4-5). • Leads to reckless behavior and wasted wealth (Ephesians 5:18). • Opens the door to further sin—anger, immorality, violence (Galatians 5:19-21). • Damages health, work ethic, and relationships, hastening “rags.” Consequences Highlighted in the Verse 1. Poverty—literal financial loss and spiritual bankruptcy. 2. Drowsiness—ongoing lethargy that saps initiative and productivity. 3. Public shame—“rags” symbolize visible decline and disgrace. Wider Biblical Witness • Proverbs 23:20 “Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat.” • 1 Corinthians 6:12 “Everything is permissible for me, but not everything is beneficial…” • Galatians 5:22-23 lists “self-control” as fruit of the Spirit, the antidote to excess. • Romans 13:13 “Let us walk properly… not in orgies and drunkenness.” Steps Toward God-Honoring Self-Control • Recognize excess as sin, not merely lifestyle choice. • Invite the Holy Spirit to produce self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). • Establish practical guardrails: portion limits, accountability partners, avoiding tempting settings. • Redirect desires—feast on God’s Word, find joy in Christ rather than in food or drink (Psalm 34:8). • Steward resources for kingdom purposes; generosity dethrones self-indulgence (2 Corinthians 9:6-8). Summing Up Proverbs 23:21 speaks plainly: unchecked appetite, whether for food or alcohol, leads inevitably to loss—of money, health, respect, and spiritual vitality. The verse calls believers to sober-minded stewardship, urging disciplined enjoyment of God’s gifts under the gentle mastery of His Spirit. |
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