In the sacred scriptures, gluttony is depicted as an excessive and indulgent consumption of food and drink.
The book of Proverbs cautions against overindulgence, urging us not to be among gluttonous eaters.
“Be not among drunkards or among gluttonous eaters of meat,” it advises, “for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and slumber will clothe them with rags” (Proverbs 23:20-21, ESV).
This ancient wisdom underscores moderation, gratitude, and stewardship in all aspects of life, including our approach to nourishment.
While enjoying God’s provisions is not inherently sinful, maintaining a balanced and disciplined lifestyle guard against the pitfalls of gluttony, leading to both spiritual and physical well-being.
Also See:
1. Proverbs 23:20-21
“Be not among drunkards or among gluttonous eaters of meat, for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and slumber will clothe them with rags.”
In this passage, King Solomon warns against overindulgence. Gluttony, characterized by excessive consumption of food and drink, leads to poverty and spiritual emptiness.
The imagery of slumber cloaking them in rags emphasizes the consequences of unrestrained appetites.
2. Proverbs 23:2
“And put a knife to your throat if you are given to appetite.”
This vivid metaphor underscores the urgency of self-control. Rather than yielding to insatiable cravings, we should exercise discipline.
The imagery of a knife at the throat emphasizes the gravity of the situation.
3. 1 Corinthians 3:16-17
“Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.”
Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. Gluttony harms this sacred dwelling. We risk damaging God’s temple when we prioritize physical desires over spiritual well-being. Self-control and stewardship are essential.
4. Proverbs 25:16
“If you have found honey, eat only enough for you, lest you have your fill of it and vomit it.”
Even good things, like honey, can become harmful when consumed excessively. This verse emphasizes moderation. Overindulgence leads to negative consequences, both physically and spiritually.
5. Psalm 78:18
“They tested God in their heart by demanding the food they craved.”
The Israelites’ craving for specific foods during their wilderness journey revealed a lack of trust in God’s provision. Gluttony reflects a heart that seeks satisfaction apart from God.
6. 1 Corinthians 10:31
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
This verse reminds us that our actions—even eating—should honor God. Gluttony disregards this principle. We should approach food with gratitude and moderation, recognizing it as a gift from God.
7. Philippians 3:18-19
“For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.”
Paul laments those who prioritize physical desires over spiritual matters. Gluttony becomes an idol—a false god—leading to destruction. Our focus should be on heavenly things, not earthly indulgences.
8. Deuteronomy 21:20
“And they shall say to the elders of his city, ‘This our son is stubborn and rebellious; he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton and a drunkard.’”
This verse highlights gluttony as a sign of rebellion. It portrays a son who disregards authority and indulges excessively. Gluttony not only affects the individual but also disrupts community harmony.
9. Ecclesiastes 10:17
“Blessed are you, O land, when your king is the son of the nobility, and your princes feast at the proper time, for strength, and not for drunkenness!”
King Solomon highlights the importance of moderation in feasting. Princes who eat for strength rather than indulgence contribute to the well-being of the land. Gluttony undermines leadership and societal stability.
10. Romans 13:13-14
“Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.”
Paul urges believers to live honorably, avoiding excesses. Gluttony falls under the category of gratifying fleshly desires. Instead, we should clothe ourselves with Christ, seeking spiritual fulfillment.
11. Proverbs 28:7
“The one who keeps the law is a son with understanding, but a companion of gluttons shames his father.”
This verse contrasts wisdom with shame. Associating with gluttons reflects poorly on one’s upbringing. Self-control and discernment honor both God and parents.
12. Luke 12:19-21
“And I will say to my soul, ‘Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”
Jesus tells the parable of the rich fool. His focus on indulgence and material wealth leads to spiritual poverty. Gluttony blinds us to eternal priorities.
13. Proverbs 23:3
“Do not desire his delicacies, for they are deceptive food.”
Solomon warns against coveting extravagant feasts. Such indulgence deceives, promising satisfaction but ultimately leaving us empty. Contentment lies in godliness, not excess.
14. Philippians 4:5
“Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand.”
Paul encourages believers to exhibit moderation and gentleness. Gluttony contradicts reasonableness. As we await the Lord’s return, our conduct should reflect self-control.
15. Isaiah 56:12
“‘Come,’ they say, ‘let me get wine; let us fill ourselves with strong drink; and tomorrow will be like this day, great beyond measure.’”
Isaiah condemns those who prioritize indulgence over righteousness. Their pursuit of pleasure blinds them to God’s judgment. Gluttony distorts our perspective on eternity.
16. 1 Timothy 5:23
“No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.”
Paul advises Timothy to exercise moderation even in medicinal matters. Gluttony disregards physical well-being. Balance is essential, even in legitimate pleasures.
17. Proverbs 25:27
“It is not good to eat much honey, nor is it glorious to seek one’s own glory.”
Solomon draws a parallel between excessive honey consumption and self-centeredness. Just as too much honey can lead to sickness, seeking personal glory at the expense of others harms our character.
Gluttony extends beyond food—it encompasses any excessive desire that distorts our priorities.
18. Luke 21:34
“But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap.”
Jesus warns against spiritual complacency. Gluttony, like drunkenness, dulls our spiritual senses. We risk missing God’s appointed time when we prioritize earthly cares over eternal matters.
19. Proverbs 23:19-21
“Hear, my son, and be wise, and direct your heart in the way. Be not among drunkards or among gluttonous eaters of meat, for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and slumber will clothe them with rags.”
Solomon’s counsel emphasizes wisdom and discernment. Associating with gluttons leads to ruin. The imagery of slumber and rags underscores the consequences of indulgence.
20. 1 Corinthians 6:12
“‘All things are lawful for me,’ but not all things are helpful. ‘All things are lawful for me,’ but I will not be dominated by anything.”
Paul addresses the Corinthians’ misconceptions. While freedom exists, not all choices are beneficial. Gluttony enslaves us to physical desires, hindering our spiritual growth.
21. Isaiah 22:13
“But behold, joy and gladness, killing oxen and slaughtering sheep, eating flesh and drinking wine. ‘Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.’”
Isaiah exposes a hedonistic mindset. Gluttony becomes an excuse for reckless living. Instead of seeking God’s purpose, they indulge without restraint.
22. 1 Corinthians 9:27
“But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.”
Paul exemplifies self-discipline. Gluttony undermines our witness. As ambassadors for Christ, we must steward our bodies well, avoiding excesses.
233. Proverbs 28:25
“A greedy man stirs up strife, but the one who trusts in the LORD will be enriched.”
Greedy appetites breed conflict. Trusting in God leads to true enrichment. Gluttony distracts us from relying on the Lord’s provision.
25. Romans 14:17
“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”
Paul contrasts earthly indulgence with spiritual priorities. Gluttony focuses on temporal pleasures, while God’s kingdom centers on righteousness, peace, and joy in the Spirit.
25. Genesis 25:29-34
“Once when Jacob was cooking stew, Esau came in from the field, and he was exhausted. And Esau said to Jacob, ‘Let me eat some of that red stew, for I am exhausted!’ (Therefore his name was called Edom.)
Jacob said, ‘Sell me your birthright now.’ Esau said, ‘I am about to die; of what use is a birthright to me?’ Jacob said, ‘Swear to me now.’ So he swore to him and sold his birthright to Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew, and he ate and drank and rose and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.”
This poignant narrative reveals Esau’s impulsive hunger. His physical exhaustion led him to prioritize immediate gratification over long-term blessings.
By selling his birthright—the spiritual inheritance of leadership and blessing—he demonstrated gluttony of the soul. This passage serves as a cautionary tale, urging us to value eternal promises over fleeting desires.
26. Deuteronomy 8:3
“And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.”
During Israel’s wilderness journey, God provided manna—a miraculous bread. This verse echoes Jesus’ later words in Matthew 4:4.
Gluttony isn’t merely about physical food; it’s also about neglecting spiritual nourishment. God’s Word sustains us, reminding us that our true life depends on obedience to His commands.
27. Proverbs 30:8-9
“Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, lest I be full and deny you and say, ‘Who is the LORD?’ or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God.”
Agur’s prayer reflects wisdom. He seeks balance—neither excess nor lack. Gluttony can lead to spiritual prieand, forgetting our dependence on God.
Conversely, poverty can tempt us to compromise our integrity. Contentment lies in trusting God’s provision.
28. Luke 12:15
“And he said to them, ‘Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.’” (Luke 12:15 ESV)
Jesus warns against materialism. Gluttony is a form of coveting—an insatiable desire for more.
Our worth isn’t measured by possessions but by our relationship with God. True life transcends material abundance.
29. Proverbs 23:30-35
“Those who tarry long over wine; those who go to try mixed wine. Do not look at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly. In the end, it bites like a serpent and stings like an adder. Y
our eyes will see strange things, and your heart utter perverse things. You will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, like one who lies on the top of a mast. ‘They struck me,’ you will say, ‘but I was not hurt; they beat me, but I did not feel it. When shall I awake? I must have another drink.’”
Although this passage primarily addresses alcohol, its principles apply to gluttony. Excessive consumption—whether of food or drink—initially seems pleasurable but ultimately harms.
The allure of indulgence blinds us to consequences. Self-control prevents such destructive cycles.
30. 1 Corinthians 10:6-7
“Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did. Do not be idolaters as some of them were; as it is written, ‘The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play.’”
Paul refers to the Israelites’ behavior during their wilderness journey. Their indulgence in food and revelry led to idolatry.
The phrase “The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play” (quoting Exodus 32:6) highlights their gluttonous excesses. Instead of seeking God, they prioritized physical pleasure. This verse warns against allowing our appetites to lead us away from true worship.
Conclusion
In our spiritual journey, the Bible provides wisdom on various aspects of life, including our approach to nourishment.
The caution against gluttony in the book of Proverbs serves as a reminder to maintain a balanced and disciplined lifestyle.
While enjoying God’s provisions is not inherently sinful, overindulgence can lead to spiritual and physical pitfalls. By practicing moderation, gratitude, and stewardship, we honor the gift of nourishment while avoiding excess.
Let us seek spiritual well-being through mindful choices, recognizing that true fulfillment lies in harmony with God’s design.