Sermon On Gluttony

Matthew Scully, the American author, journalist and speech-writer once remarked: "If we are defined by reason and morality, then reason and morality must define our choices, even when animals are concerned. When people say, for example, that they like their veal or hot dogs too much to ever give them up, and yeah it's sad about the farms, but that's just the way it is, reason hears in that, the voice of gluttony. We can say that what makes a human being human is precisely the ability to understand that the suffering of an animal is more important than the taste of a treat." Deuteronomy 21:20 states: "And they shall say to the elders of his city, 'This our son is stubborn and rebellious; he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton and a drunkard.'"

Gluttony is renowned by some Christian denominations as one of the seven deadly sins. There is much famine that is endemic in some poor nations in the world. This, in turn, can lead to disease. The victims in these circumstances often go without food for many days at a time. Where pestilence exists, food supplies become extremely rare. Mortality rates increase alarmingly as a result. Ezekiel 5:17 remarks: "I will send famine and wild beasts against you, and they will rob you of your children. Pestilence and blood shall pass through you, and I will bring the sword upon you. I am the Lord; I have spoken."

There are many reasons as to the cause of famine. Extreme cold, severe flooding, long-term drought, plant disease, and natural disasters are all considered contributory factors amongst the many listed. However, the selfishness of some towards the hungry, can globally enhance the problem through their egocentric indulgence. They happily eat and drink to excess and this irresponsible and shameful act reduces the availability of food to those in need. The body only requires a limited quantity of food to survive and maintain a healthy lifestyle. It is important to realize that the hunger of many can be contented through sustenance, by the consideration of those who sacrifice a little less intake of unnecessary nourishment to their own bodies. Proverbs 23:1-3 reminds us: “When you sit down to eat with a ruler, observe carefully what is before you, and put a knife to your throat if you are given to appetite. Do not desire his delicacies, for they are deceptive food.”

Gluttony has been defined as a limitless and avaricious need for food to the point of excess. This overindulgence produces the reversal of nature that food and drink are no longer consumed for the intended purpose of living, but rather that one is living for the sole purpose of food and drink. Proverbs 28:7 confirms: "The one who keeps the law is a son with understanding, but a companion of gluttons shames his father."

Once upon a time, there lived a man who simply adored food. His considered ideal day was to eat from morning until night. He was also not averse to consuming copious amounts of alcohol. The horrifying fact about these gluttonous acts was that he thoroughly enjoyed every single mouthful he endured. To him, it was a comfort that he could not do without, they became an unnecessary dependence and a normal part of life.

He was grossly overweight and could justifiably be considered as overly obese. He had become unattractive through overindulgence. His physique had become completely out of proportion as a direct result of his excessive intake of food. His clothes appeared tight and shapeless. He had difficulty walking as his legs were so bloated and the sheer exertion became extremely tiring. In fact, he didn't really walk normally, he waddled.

His favourite venue was an "Eat as much as you like" restaurant situated in the local town which he frequented daily. He wasn't content with the normal three meals a day routine which could be considered as a normal diet, but also had the desire to regularly indulge in unhealthy fast-food consisting of hamburgers and hot dogs between meals.

During a meal, he felt unable to satisfy himself with a few slices of meat and a few vegetables, he had to have everything available. If there were a choice of five different types of meat on offer, he would have them all. His meal was too large to fit on a standard-sized plate and the restaurant was obliged to supply an oversized platter to accommodate the quantity of food. For his main meal of the day, he would usually have five courses which consisted of a bowl of soup with three or four rolls, followed by a pasta course, then the main dish which was followed often by several different deserts, finally cheese and biscuits succeeded by coffee and several liqueurs completed the feast.