Proverbs 13:25
|
The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul: but the belly of the wicked shall want.
|
A righteous man eats sufficient for his needs, of whatever is before him, and finds it a feast. The wicked gorge on excess, wishing the fare was different, and cannot be satisfied. The one is contented and fulfilled; the other is discontented and frustrated.
God blesses the righteous in their souls, where the wicked are always troubled (Is 57:20-21). Prosperity alone cannot bring contentment, for silver will not satisfy the man loving silver (Eccl 5:10). Contentment is a state of mind known only by the righteous (16:8; Phil 4:11), and adding it to godliness is great gain for every man (I Tim 6:6-8).
Consider the righteous, who eats sufficient for his needs. He eats and drinks with moderation and for strength (Eccl 10:17). He is not tempted to drunkenness, gluttony, and their consequences (23:21). He even eats and drinks for God's glory (I Cor 10:31).
He eats whatever is before him, for he has chosen to be content with whatever God provides (Phil 4:12). He chooses to be content with such things he has, for the Lord is his everlasting portion (Ps 73:25-26; Heb 13:5-6).
He finds a modest amount of anything a feast, for he has righteousness, peace, and love as the staples at his table (15:16-17; Ps 37:16). Because his heart is merry in the Lord, he has a continual feast (15:15; Eccl 5:18-20).
Consider the wicked, who may gorge on abundance (Luke 16:19). He chooses excess over moderation and pays the consequences (21:17; 23:29-35). But he cannot rest, even in prosperity, for he has the evil disease of worrying about it (Eccl 5:17; 6:1-2).
He always wishes the fare or setting was different, for his heart is covetous and greedy of what others have, and this vexes his soul (Eccl 6:9). Ahab, though king of Israel, could not enjoy anything without Naboth's vineyard (I Kgs 21:1-4).
He finds trouble at the finest table, for there is always strife of some sort (15:17; 17:1). No matter where he looks, no matter what he does, all is vanity and vexation of spirit (Eccl 2:17; 4:4; 6:9). He is like the troubled sea; he cannot rest (Is 57:20-21).
God guarantees the righteous will be fed (Ps 34:10; 37:3,25); and no matter how meager their provision, they have hearts filled with true and lasting joy. The wicked lose every expectation at death and crave a drop of water through eternity (11:7; Luke 16:24).
www.letgodbetrue.com
