Profligacy, often understood as reckless extravagance or wastefulness in the use of resources, particularly in the context of moral and spiritual matters, is a concept that finds its roots in biblical teachings. The Bible frequently addresses the dangers and consequences of a profligate lifestyle, warning against the pursuit of worldly pleasures and the neglect of spiritual responsibilities.

Biblical References and Themes

1. Prodigality and Wastefulness: The Parable of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15:11-32 is perhaps the most illustrative biblical narrative concerning profligacy. The younger son demands his inheritance and squanders it in "wild living" (Luke 15:13). His reckless lifestyle leads to destitution, highlighting the futility and destructive nature of profligacy. The parable underscores the themes of repentance and redemption, as the son returns to his father, who welcomes him back with open arms.

2. Warnings Against Excess: The Bible consistently warns against the dangers of excessive indulgence. Proverbs 21:17 states, "He who loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and oil will never be rich." This proverb emphasizes the financial and moral ruin that can accompany a life devoted to hedonistic pursuits.

3. Moral Decay and Spiritual Consequences: Profligacy is often associated with moral decay and spiritual decline. In Ephesians 5:18 , believers are admonished, "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to reckless indiscretion. Instead, be filled with the Spirit." This verse contrasts the destructive nature of indulgence with the edifying influence of the Holy Spirit, urging Christians to seek spiritual fulfillment rather than worldly excess.

4. The Call to Sobriety and Self-Control: The New Testament frequently calls for sobriety and self-control as virtues opposed to profligacy. Titus 2:11-12 teaches, "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men. It instructs us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live sensible, upright, and godly lives in the present age." This passage highlights the transformative power of God's grace, which enables believers to reject profligate behaviors.

5. The Example of Christ: Jesus Christ serves as the ultimate example of a life free from profligacy. His teachings and actions consistently reflect a commitment to spiritual priorities over material excess. In Matthew 6:19-21 , Jesus instructs, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven... For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." This teaching encourages believers to focus on eternal values rather than temporary pleasures.

Historical and Cultural Context

In the ancient world, profligacy was often associated with the affluent and powerful, who had the means to indulge in excess. The biblical admonitions against such lifestyles served as a counter-cultural message, promoting values of moderation, stewardship, and spiritual devotion. The early Christian community, living under Roman rule, would have been acutely aware of the temptations of profligacy, as the Roman Empire was known for its opulence and decadence.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, profligacy is seen as a manifestation of the sinful nature, a turning away from God's design for human life. It reflects a prioritization of self over God, a pursuit of temporal satisfaction at the expense of eternal joy. The biblical call to reject profligacy is ultimately a call to align one's life with God's will, to seek first His kingdom and righteousness (Matthew 6:33).

Practical Application

For contemporary believers, the biblical teachings on profligacy serve as a reminder to evaluate one's lifestyle and priorities. Christians are encouraged to practice stewardship, to use their resources wisely, and to cultivate a heart of contentment and gratitude. By doing so, they bear witness to the transformative power of the Gospel and the sufficiency of Christ in all things.(a.) Decadence; dissoluteness; wild extravagance; the state of being abandoned in moral principle and in vice.810. asotia -- unsavedness, ie wastefulness
... Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: asotia Phonetic Spelling:
(as-o-tee'-ah) Short Definition: wantonness, profligacy Definition: wantonness ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/810.htm - 7k

That the Roman Gods Never Took any Steps to Prevent the Republic ...
... learned writers it had become, long before the coming of Christ, utterly wicked
and dissolute, and indeed had no existence, but had been destroyed by profligacy ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 22 that the roman gods.htm

Of the Gods Peculiar to the Romans, and their Sacred Rites.
... exposed their children, whom it was their duty to train to an honourable course,
to the lust of youth, and wished them to worship gods of profligacy, in those ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xx of the gods peculiar.htm

Ephesians iv. 17-19
... "All uncleanness"; uncleanness is all adultery, fornication, unnatural lust,
envy, every kind of profligacy and lasciviousness. Ver.20, 21. ...
/.../homily xiii ephesians iv 17-19.htm

The Life and Death of Mr. Badman,
... The life of Badman was written in an age when profligacy, vice, and debauchery,
marched like a desolating army through our land, headed by the king, and ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the life and death of.htm

The Empress Theodora
... condemn in unmeasured terms certain features of Justinian's administration, and
dwell on other faults of Theodora, but say never a word about her profligacy. ...
/.../brittain/women of early christianity/xi the empress theodora.htm

Paul and Felix
... himself for hell. He had begun life as a slave of the emperor in a court
which was a mere sink of profligacy and villainy. Then he ...
/.../kingsley/discipline and other sermons/sermon xii paul and felix.htm

A Holy Life the Beauty of Christianity: Or, an Exhortation to ...
... Still profligacy reigned in the court and country"a fearful persecution
raged against all who refused to attend the church service. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a holy life the beauty.htm

The Prodigal and his Brother.
... the spark which seemed dying out in the wick of the expiring taper, when men thought
that it was too late, and that the hour of hopeless profligacy was come. ...
/.../robertson/sermons preached at brighton/xx the prodigal and his.htm

Providence
... us who sit here now, but our children's children, and generations yet unborn, from
Russian tyranny, and Russian falsehood, and Russian profligacy, and Russian ...
/.../kingsley/sermons for the times/sermon xiii providence.htm

David's Deserts
... their mates; by the side of the winter hearth; from the lips of wandering minstrels;
in the hearts of young creatures, whom neither the profligacy of worldlings ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/david/sermon iv davids deserts.htm

Profligacy (5 Occurrences)
...Profligacy (5 Occurrences). ... Ephesians 4:19 Such men being past feeling have abandoned
themselves to impurity, greedily indulging in every kind of profligacy. ...
/p/profligacy.htm - 8k

Profligate (3 Occurrences)
... there is a man of blameless life, true to his one wife, having children who are
themselves believers and are free from every reproach of profligacy or of ...
/p/profligate.htm - 7k

Profits (19 Occurrences)

/p/profits.htm - 12k

Villainy (4 Occurrences)
... Acts 13:10 said, 'O full of all guile, and all profligacy, son of a devil, enemy
of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease perverting the right ways of the Lord ...
/v/villainy.htm - 7k

Unrighteous (32 Occurrences)
... 14 and Paul being about to open 'his' mouth, Gallio said unto the Jews, 'If, indeed,
then, it was anything unrighteous, or an act of wicked profligacy, O Jews ...
/u/unrighteous.htm - 16k

Greedily (7 Occurrences)
... Greedily (7 Occurrences). Ephesians 4:19 Such men being past feeling have abandoned
themselves to impurity, greedily indulging in every kind of profligacy. ...
/g/greedily.htm - 8k

Indulge (12 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Ephesians 4:19 Such men being past feeling have abandoned themselves to impurity,
greedily indulging in every kind of profligacy. (See NIV). ...
/i/indulge.htm - 10k

Impurity (42 Occurrences)
... Ephesians 4:19 Such men being past feeling have abandoned themselves to impurity,
greedily indulging in every kind of profligacy. (WEY NAS NIV). ...
/i/impurity.htm - 21k

Indulging (4 Occurrences)
... (WEY NAS). Ephesians 4:19 Such men being past feeling have abandoned themselves
to impurity, greedily indulging in every kind of profligacy. (WEY). ...
/i/indulging.htm - 7k

Rome (12 Occurrences)
... It was distinguished for its wealth and luxury and profligacy. The empire of which
it was the capital had then reached its greatest prosperity. ...
/r/rome.htm - 43k

Profligacy: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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