Proverbs: Day 23 - Better Choices - [Chapter 23]

Excess.  That's the first word that came to my mind as I read the first few verses of Proverbs 23.  I'm not certain about the knife to the throat as a deterrent to eating too much - although I suppose there are moments when that would be an effective weight reducing tool.  

Nevertheless, it's important to consider the cost of anything taken in excess - money, food, clothing, the accumulation of stuff.  We have been conditioned to purchase and consume goods on impulse.  

While leading a Financial Peace University class, I listened to Dave Ramsey talk about the dangers of impulse buying - check out one of his articles here.  His points reflect Solomon's wisdom - take caution and care in the things that you are investing in your life, whether its the pursuit of riches, material goods or even the big dinner you are ready to consume.  What you think about within your heart will more than likely be played out in your real life.

But Solomon's words aren't meant to be a weight loss program in the way that we know.  Certainly watching what one eats can make a difference in gaining or losing weight - more than likely we've all walked that path.  I interpret him saying the foundation of what we believe in and how we think about ourselves each day matters.  If we carefully consider our actions, its a good bet we might make a better choice.

Better choices at the dinner table... better choices in our words... better choices in our service to others... just better choices.

Something I need to do more often...