Pleasure and Glory
Proverbs 25:27
It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory.


The ordinary mind consents to this statement unwillingly. There is a natural reluctance to stop short in the pursuit of enjoyment. What glory can there be in getting a man to limit his own glory?

I. OUR BEST INTERESTS ARE NOT SERVED BY LIVING CHIEFLY ON EARTHLY PLEASURES. Our highest being cannot be nourished by giving the chief place to earthly distinction and attainments. Life is not intended to be made up entirely of bank holidays and national festivals. Observe the point of emphasis in this verse. "It is not good to eat much honey." A little is all very well. The question of recreation and amusement resolves itself into a question about the desires and impulses which are allowed to rule men's lives. Let a man understand his true position He is face to face with a long history of good and evil principles working on the one hand sublimity, and on the other disaster, in the lives of millions. He has to take his place — carefully discovering his right place — in a world that is darkened by the shadow of the crime and ignorance of ages, and torn to the heart's depth by the cruel wails of passion, and avarice, and remorse.

II. GOD HAS SOMETHING BETTER FOR US TO DO, AND SOMETHING NOBLER FOR US TO ENJOY. He has called to us to seek the knowledge of Himself; to grow up into this knowledge of Himself; and to use the knowledge of Him, as it comes to us, for the benefit of the world. Learn to think soberly and proportionately of all the pleasures and distinctions of this life; ever having "respect unto the recompense of the reward."

(W. H. Jackson.)



Parallel Verses
KJV: It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory.

WEB: It is not good to eat much honey; nor is it honorable to seek one's own honor.




Natural Desires Running Too Far
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