Do Not Wear Yourself Out

Proverbs says… 

When you sit to dine with a ruler, note well what is before you, and put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony. Do not crave his delicacies, for that food is deceptive. Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint. Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle. Proverbs 23:1-5

Food, money, things—they are all alike. In denying yourself until you are inside the boundaries of hunger and fullness for food and drink, inside the boundaries for money, you will want less. “Put a knife up” means denial—just stop it. The king’s food is deceptive because it is so sweet and full of fat or rich in calories and you will go way overboard quickly—it is deceitful, so watch out. Stop wearing yourself out for business and enjoy God and His people. Likewise, the Holy Spirit is the key to ending pride, hate, control and antiauthority and replacing it with love. Give (deny yourself the indulgence to hate, control and judge). If you love more, you will want more love, if you hate more, you will want more hate—all a function of the presence or lack of the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Do not be party to ending this Love relationship with God, for it is everything—your religion and salvation. God never blocks it; you block it with indulgence and pride or judgmentalness.

Now, if you have plateaued in your weight or any indulgence, start over. If you have lost your first Love, start over. Give Him your food—give and He will give back self-control, which is a desire for less. Do loving acts toward others and you will want to love them more. Give and take, give and take—this is what makes the world go round.

For more on this topic, read History of the Love of God, Volume II – A Love More Ancient than Time