(Prov 23:6-8 NLT) Don’t eat with people who are stingy; don’t desire their delicacies. They are always thinking about how much it costs. “Eat and drink,” they say, but they don’t mean it. You will throw up what little you’ve eaten, and your compliments will be wasted.
This morning we continue our series, “Unlocking the Power of Proverbs – Walking in the Wisdom of God.” This is the 9th Saying: an Admonition on Eating with the Stingy. Solomon gives us advice here about whom we should or should not eat our meals with. I don’t know about you, but my wife and I truly enjoy a good meal, especially when it is accompanied by pleasant conversation and great company. I believe I get this from my mother, because meals were always a ‘big deal’ in my house. While we did not have much (growing up in Brooklyn), we always had good food and my mother made our meals special. I am thankful that my wife and I have continued the tradition and we make our meal time a special time in our home. Our oldest son is about to head off to college soon, so most of our meals lately, have been accompanied by conversations about his impending departure and his readiness for life on his own. I believe Ricardo jr. will be able to look back one day, as I can, and have fond memories of the many great meals we had together – the food being only one aspect of the memories. We also put as much emphasis (or even greater) into the meals that involve invited guests. Even as I write this message I can think back to the many great fellowships we have had with friends, both in our home and in theirs, over a meal.
It is easy to see that I genuinely enjoy the fellowship involved with a good meal and that is why Solomon’s words resonate with me. Why would you want to taint the experience of a good meal with disingenuous people? After reading Solomon’s counsel over and over, I can highlight three reasons why we should not share a meal with the type of people he is describing:
1. Their heart is not in their hospitality: Who wants to spend time with a phony person? These people invite you over for dinner out of some form of obligation or self-promotion, but not because they honor you or want to enjoy your presence. Since their heart is not in their hospitality, then their hospitality is ‘smoke and mirrors.’ Don’t spend your precious time disingenuous people.
2. Their words are insincere: They will tell you to eat up and enjoy the food, but they will dread every bite you take, because of their stinginess. They are basically lying about their desire for you to eat the food and if they will lie about that, then they will lie about anything. You will never be able to trust someone like this.
3. Your fellowship will be unpleasant and unfruitful: Solomon tells us that whatever compliments you pay your disingenuous hosts will be wasted. They will not care about the compliments because they honestly don’t care about you. You were only there as a convenience for them and once you are gone you will be gone from their memory. Solomon says that the overall experience might be so unpleasant that you can wind up throwing up what you ate.
So what does this mean to you today? It means that your time on the earth is limited so you must seek to use it wisely. Don’t waste precious time with unpleasant people. Surround yourself with great people, take pleasure in good meals together, and enjoy life! My mother often said, “All you will take with you when you die is the food you ate an the good times you had.” While I am not dismissing the pursuit of purpose and potential, I am highlighting the fact that the Father does want us to enjoy the ride. Make sure you enjoy yourself today!
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for blessing me to be able to discern who is genuine and who is not. I choose to spend my time with people who are genuinely interested in me and me in them. I pour into them and I allow them to pour into me. We build each other up and we earnestly enjoy our company. I share good meals with great people. The food, fellowship, and fun we have together help establish memories that will last a lifetime. I am determined to maximize my purpose and potential before I die and the fulfillment of my life’s assignment is my #1 goal, but I also know that You want me to enjoy the ride and I am equally determined to do that. I enjoy today and every day! In Jesus’ name. Amen!
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper!
