Proverbs 21:17 “Whoever loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and olive oil will never be rich.”
Since the richest man in the world wrote this proverb, I suppose he meant “poor in spirit” rather than literally poor.
Love pleasure more than God? You will be poor in spirit. Love liquor and the finer things of life rather than richness toward God? You will be poor in spirit.
Principle: If pleasure and “good life” accoutrements such as fine wines are number one on your love list, you will become poor in spirit – not rich towards God.
As a rule, you can drink too much and continue to be rich, but that lifestyle tends toward financial and spiritual poverty. Look into poor neighborhoods. They are high in alcohol dependency. This chemical addiction is costly to the individual and to society.
Anyone driving “under the influence” is an accident about to happen. They risk arrest and imprisonment or huge fines and driving penalties. Many bad decisions and bad behaviors are influenced by liquor. Ask airline attendants. The unruly passenger count rises every year and airline management shares the blame for problem passengers. They promote free alcohol and their wine lists for first-class passengers who can start drinking even before takeoff. All of this is a recipe for rowdiness.
Flight attendants are trained and encouraged to decline alcohol service to someone who has had too much to drink but they can no longer ask a flight crewmember to assist. On overcrowded, close quarter seating it begins produce highly irritated passengers. This is just one example of how “good life” people have a negative impact on the rest of us.
The example in this passage is fine wine. Alcohol lowers inhibitions. Try self-control and do not take advantage of others. A couple of drinks help a person forget unpleasant realities. Face troubles realistically and turn them over to God. Some alcoholic buzz helps you to act like somebody else. Be yourself. People will like you for who you really are. A couple of glasses of wine will relax you. Better yet, enjoy a moment-by-moment rest in God.
Love God more than the “good life.” Life quality will be richer.You will save on expenses. You will lower the financial risks that go with drunkenness.
Discussion:
1. What “pleasure” do you love more than God?
2. What steps will you take to put God first?
3. Find someone to share this with. The accountability will bring encouragement with it.
