TEXT: Proverbs 30:8-9:
8 Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me:
9 Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the Lord? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.
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This is an uncomfortable subject for many of us, but if you listen and take heed, this particular series can not only change your life spiritually, but it can save your life physically.
These verses in Proverbs are a part of a collection of sayings from Agur. We don’t know much about Agur, as this is the only time he is mentioned in Scripture. However, all of the proverbs of chapter 30 are believed to have been collected by him for a document or speech delivered to “Ithiel and Ucal,” two people who may have been his disciples or friends.
Like the last proverbs that we looked at, these sayings, which make up what can be described as a prayer, highlight the importance of moderation in all things, including our eating habits. Agur prays for neither poverty nor riches because both can leads to extremes. If one is poor, he may be led to steal. If one is rich and has all his needs supplied, he may be led to ignore God and deny the need for God in his life.
This desire for moderation is also extended to Agur’s eating habits. He asks to be fed “with food convenient for me.” The Hebrew word translated as food was primarily used for bread or grain, but can be taken to mean all food staples that provide sustenance including fruit and meat. The Hebrew word translated as “convenient” means a prescribed portion, a limit, or a boundary. Agur desires have the food that is set aside for him and no more. And that is a major problem for those of us who struggle with gluttony. We find it hard to eat only that which is sufficient or needed. If there is a big pot or pan, we are compelled to get seconds.
John Gill noted that “some render [‘food convenient for me’] to be ‘the food of my allowance’, or that which is allotted and appointed for me. It seems to be the same which Job calls his ‘necessary food,’ and Christ ‘our daily bread.’ The allusion seems to be the stated measure of food allowed to servants by the day, or by the month, which was but small and scanty, yet with which Agur could be content.”
This passage reminds us that God is in the mix even in our eating habits. We can ask Him for the strength to say no when we have had that which is sufficient for us. And, we have the Holy Spirit living inside of us to help rein in the appetite of the flesh. As God is supplying our daily bread, we show respect for Him and His provision by not gorging ourselves on that which is before us and eating only the portion that is convenient, sufficient, or needed.
If the Lord tarries his coming and we live, next time, we will continue looking at what the Bible tells us about overcoming gluttony, obesity, and God’s plan for man’s eating habits.
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PRACTICAL STEP: In “The RAVE Diet and Lifestyle,” Mike Anderson continues sharing the importance of exercise as a part of your dietary changes. He writes, “When the brain is producing ‘happy chemicals’ — such those released when you exercise — they actually strengthen your immune system. The best time to exercise is whenever you can, but most people prefer to exercise in the mornings because it seems to jump-start their metabolism, giving them more energy and mental acuity throughout the day. It’s also easier to find the time in the early hours because there are usually fewer demands on your schedule.
“Insofar as weight loss is concerned, exercise will reduce fat and build lean muscle mass, which will increase your metabolism and that, in turn, will burn more calories. The more exercise you get, the more muscle you gain. The more muscle you gain, the more your metabolism and energy will increase — and the more fat you’ll burn.”
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In closing, as we focus on overcoming the sin of gluttony, and managing our bodies as God intended, we must not lose sight of the most important part of our existence — our spiritual life. Even those of you who are fit, who eat right, and who exercise regularly must still address the condition of your soul. You may keep your body in perfect condition till the day you die, but you will still die — we all will, and the only thing that will matter is the condition of your soul. Is your soul in shape? Is your soul in right standing with God?
The only way to make sure of that is to trust Jesus Christ as your Savior from sin and the consequences of sin. He alone can save your soul, put you in right standing with God, and ensure that you do not perish in Hell. Now, if you do not know Jesus Christ as your Savior, here is how you can trust Him today.
First, accept the fact that you are a sinner, and that you have broken God’s law. The Bible says in Romans 3:23: “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”
Second, accept the fact that there is a penalty for sin. The Bible states in Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death…”
Third, accept the fact that you are on the road to hell. Jesus Christ said in Matthew 10:28: “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Also, the Bible states in Revelation 21:8: “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”
Now that is bad news, but here’s the good news. Jesus Christ said in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will.
Romans 10:9 & 13 says, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved… For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
If you believe that Jesus Christ died on the Cross for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead, and you want to trust Him for your Salvation today, please pray with me this simple prayer: Holy Father God, I realize that I am a sinner and that I have done some bad things in my life. I am sorry for my sins, and today I choose to turn from my sins. For Jesus Christ sake, please forgive me of my sins. I believe with all of my heart that Jesus Christ died for me, was buried, and rose again. I trust Jesus Christ as my Savior and I choose to follow Him as Lord from this day forward. Lord Jesus, please come into my heart and save my soul and change my life today. Amen.
If you believed in your heart that Jesus Christ died on the Cross, was buried, and rose again, allow me to say, congratulations on doing the most important thing in life and that is accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour! For more information to help you grow in your newfound faith in Christ, go to Gospel Light Society.com and read “What To Do After You Enter Through the Door”. Jesus Christ said in John 10:9, “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.”
If you accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior today, please email me at dw3@gospellightsociety.com and let us know. There is some free material that we want to send you. If you have a prayer request, please e-mail that to us as well, and we will pray for you until you tell us to stop.
God loves you. We love you. And may God bless you.
Daniel Whyte III has spoken in meetings across the United States and in over twenty-five foreign countries. He is the author of over forty books including the Essence Magazine, Dallas Morning News, and Amazon.com national bestseller, Letters to Young Black Men. He is also the president of Gospel Light Society International, a worldwide evangelistic ministry that reaches thousands with the Gospel each week, as well as president of Torch Ministries International, a Christian literature ministry.
He is heard by thousands each week on his radio broadcasts/podcasts, which include: The Prayer Motivator Devotional, The Prayer Motivator Minute, as well as Gospel Light Minute X, the Gospel Light Minute, the Sunday Evening Evangelistic Message, the Prophet Daniel’s Report, the Second Coming Watch Update and the Soul-Winning Motivator, among others.
He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Theology from Bethany Divinity College, a Bachelor’s degree in Religion from Texas Wesleyan University, a Master’s degree in Religion, a Master of Divinity degree, and a Master of Theology degree from Liberty University’s Rawlings School of Divinity (formerly Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary). He is currently a candidate for the Doctor of Ministry degree.
He has been married to the former Meriqua Althea Dixon, of Christiana, Jamaica since 1987. God has blessed their union with seven children.
BCNN1 WP 