Christmas Season: “All To The Glory Of God”

Proverbs 23:1-2 When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before thee; And put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite.

Every Christmas season, Robert invites his staff to a lavish banquet to celebrate their efforts throughout the year. No expense is spared. The dinner is held at one of the most exclusive restaurants on the Queensland Gold Coast and the guests are encouraged to enjoy and indulge to their hearts content. All night they savor the delicacies of rich food and delicious cocktails. And unfortunately, with a voracious spirit of gluttony and greed most do indulge, to their regret the following morning.

Christmas seems to be an excuse for many in the Western world to let loose and give in to their appetites. Self-control is left high and dry as we feast our eyes and bellies on everything that the season will throw at us in the way of culinary delights. The media presses us to spend and eat up big, for apparently, we ‘deserve it’. And with a euphoria that taboos self-control and sound reason, we obey.

Philippians 3:18-19 For many walk, of whom I have told you often, whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.

The Bible has plenty to say about exhorting us to practice self-control in all things, and this is no less important when it comes to eating and drinking. Paul warned the Philippians of those who are enemies of the cross of Christ, and listed gluttony among their identifying traits.

Gluttony was apparently prevalent in the Corinthian church too. Here the believers, who had not eaten at home first, were coming together and eating the communion wine and bread before all had arrived and were settled to take communion. Paul warned them that such behavior was not glorifying to God! He said to them that, ‘whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.’ (1 Corinthians 10:31).

This Christmas season, believers would do well to reflect upon their habits ensuring that they are truly bringing glory to God. Every Christian’s every decision is to be governed and determined by what will promote the manifested excellence of God. This can be a challenge for those of us who enjoy indulging in food and the festivities that accompany it. Coming together with friends and family to enjoy a meal is very different from allowing a spirit of greed and gluttony to take control so that we do not use the self-control God has given us to say ‘no’ and ‘enough’.

1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

Our loving Father, who created us for His glory and who deeply desires that our every decision will bring glory to Him, will, when we cry out to Him, help us in our time of temptation. Our temptations cannot be an excuse for sinning. The Holy Spirit will give us the power to withstand and endure. God’s grace is sufficient for us, as His power is made perfect in our weakness. This is good news, especially to those of us who, at this time of the year, are weak when it comes to the temptation of Christmas fair.

So, when we sit down to feast at Christmas functions this year, let us heed the words of Proverbs 23 and consider wisely what is set before us and how we are to both eat and drink to the glory of God. For if we don’t, we are without excuse.

“Heavenly Father, thank You for the food You provide for me to enjoy with friends and family. Help me to eat and drink this season, so that I would bring glory and honor to You.  Forgive me for behavior that is not pleasing to You. May I trust and depend upon Your loving and good Spirit more and more, seeking to bring pleasure to You. Amen.”