(Prov 25:16,17 CEV) Eating too much honey can make you sick. Don’t visit friends too often, or they will get tired of it and start hating you.
This morning we get back to our series entitled, “Unlocking the Power of Proverbs – Walking in the Wisdom of God.” In Solomon’s day there were no supermarkets full of chocolate syrup, Splenda, Truvia, Equal, Sweet-and-Low, or any other form of packed sweetener. The natural sweetener that was available was honey. A few dribbles of honey on most things makes it taste better, especially if you have a sweet tooth. However, too much honey can make you sick. Likewise, most people enjoy a good fellowship. I am a very social person, so I love it when my house it full of people. I enjoy seeing kids playing, people talking, serving food, and enjoying the company of good friends. But if the same group of friends that came over to my house for a Saturday afternoon barbeque showed up, unannounced, for a Sunday afternoon dinner, and then again for a Monday night get together, and then again for a Tuesday night talk, you can rest assured that the pleasant nature of the fellowship would have reached it’s tipping point.
Solomon’s message to us today is that too much of anything, even when it’s a good thing, is bad. Just like you can get sick (literally) from too many sweets, even if you love deserts, you can get sick of people, even if you love them, because overloading anything can be a problem. Most of us know what it’s like to enjoy our special food, but if you make the mistake of eating it every day, then it will lose it specialness. Similarly, even non-social people have their group of special people they like being around, but much exposure to these people and somehow the relationship is no longer the same.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things:
1. Moderation is important is any area of life. You must learn to strike a balance between just enough and too much. The Father wants you to enjoy life to the fullest, and that enjoyment often comes from exposing yourself to a variety of things and people. Too much exposure to either can lead to disappointment.
2. Know when to visit. While visiting your neighbors and friends often provides for a great time, avoid being a nuisance. Visit enough so that your visits are valued, but not so much that they lose their value.
3. Know when to leave. Never overstay your welcome. One of my mentors once told me, “Son, never make ‘em glad twice… glad to see you come, and glad to see you go!” Just like it is important to know whey you can/should visit, it is important to know when to leave.
4. Never overdo a pleasure. Not only will you spoil it for the short term, but you may actually develop a long term dislike for “it” (whatever “it” may be). If you want something to remain precious in your life, then don’t overindulge yourself in it, because your overindulgence may cause you to become “sick” of it.
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for the wisdom found in Your Word. Your Word is the ruler by which I judge my decisions. This morning I have learned about the balance between just enough and too much and I declare, by faith, that I have the discernment to strike that balance. I enjoy great food, fun, and fellowship with others, but I also know when enough is enough. I don’t overindulge myself with the things I consider special, and my control will ensure they remain special in my life. I also know when to visit and when to receive visitors. I have great friends and I want our friendships to grow and develop. I never spoil a friendship but visiting too often or by staying too long. I know how to visit often enough to keep my valuable relationships valuable and when to leave, in order to avoid overstaying my welcome. I am balanced in every area of my life and I thank You for helping me to enjoy today and every day! In Jesus’ name. Amen!
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper!
