The condition of poverty is a multifaceted issue addressed throughout the Bible, with various causes and consequences. Among the contributing factors to poverty, the Scriptures frequently highlight personal behaviors such as drunkenness and gluttony. These behaviors are depicted as leading to a state of want and deprivation, emphasizing the moral and spiritual dimensions of poverty.

Drunkenness

The Bible consistently warns against the dangers of excessive drinking, associating it with a path that leads to poverty. Proverbs 23:20-21 advises, "Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat. For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and drowsiness will clothe them in rags." This passage underscores the direct link between indulgence in alcohol and the resultant financial ruin. Drunkenness is portrayed not only as a personal failing but as a behavior that can erode one's financial stability and lead to a life of destitution.

The New Testament also addresses the issue, with Ephesians 5:18 instructing, "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to reckless indiscretion. Instead, be filled with the Spirit." Here, the apostle Paul contrasts the destructive nature of drunkenness with the edifying influence of the Holy Spirit, suggesting that spiritual fulfillment should replace the temporary and harmful escape found in alcohol.

Gluttony

Gluttony, like drunkenness, is depicted as a vice that can lead to poverty. The excessive consumption of food, driven by a lack of self-control, is seen as a behavior that squanders resources and leads to financial hardship. Proverbs 28:7 states, "A discerning son keeps the law, but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father." This proverb highlights the shame and dishonor associated with gluttony, implying that it not only affects the individual but also brings disrepute to one's family.

The Bible encourages moderation and self-discipline as virtues that prevent the slide into poverty. Philippians 4:5 exhorts believers, "Let your gentleness be apparent to all. The Lord is near." This call to gentleness and moderation extends to all areas of life, including consumption, suggesting that a balanced approach to eating and drinking aligns with a life of righteousness and provision.

Moral and Spiritual Implications

The biblical perspective on drunkenness and gluttony as causes of poverty is deeply rooted in the moral and spiritual teachings of Scripture. These behaviors are not merely seen as personal failings but as manifestations of a deeper spiritual issue—a lack of self-control and a turning away from God's provision and guidance. The Bible calls for a life of temperance, where individuals are encouraged to seek fulfillment in their relationship with God rather than in excessive consumption.

In summary, the Bible presents drunkenness and gluttony as behaviors that can lead to poverty, emphasizing the importance of self-control and spiritual fulfillment. These teachings serve as a warning and a guide, encouraging individuals to live lives marked by moderation and reliance on God's provision.Proverbs 23:21
For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Epistle Lxiii. Limenius, Bishop of Vercell??, Having Died, the See ...
... prudent man to look forward, so as not often to have ... the pattern of the master, such
is the condition of the ... 3779] since he that gives to the poor redeems his ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/epistle lxiii limenius bishop of.htm

Homilies on the Statues.
... to others to repent, [808]419; a condition of pardon ... compared to him, [1397]344;
safest when poor, [1398]353 ... Laughter often leads to sin, [1463]442; how to be met ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/chrysostom/on the priesthood/homilies on the statues.htm

The Treatise
... perform the work alone, and help the poor; and those ... How often would many a one have
to hold ... days, what with loafing, gluttony, and drunkenness, gambling and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/a treatise on good works/the treatise.htm

part ii
... makes us hard-hearted to the poor, and even to ... with food and drink, and have often
eaten and ... hearts be overcharged with surfeiting and drunkenness." [715] Tea ...
//christianbookshelf.org/calvin/my life in christ/part ii.htm

Memoir of John Bunyan
... saw myself in a forlorn and sad condition, but yet ... Having so often sold thyself to
me to work wickedness ... The poor women in Bedford, whose conversation had been ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/memoir of john bunyan.htm

Period iii. The Critical Period: AD 140 to AD 200
... nature, and to that self-same first condition which it ... And if any one among them
is poor and needy ... the Logos, which is Christ, they often contradicted themselves ...
/.../a source book for ancient church history/period iii the critical period .htm

What does the Bible say about giving to the poor? | GotQuestions.org

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What does it mean to be poor in spirit? | GotQuestions.org

Poor: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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