I did not plan ahead to write about these verses at the time of year when feasting is abundant and company is plentiful. I hope these things have been a blessing to all! However, since I believe in providence rather than coincidence, maybe someone needs to hear this now.
Too Much of a Good Thing
The book of Proverbs was written to pass on wisdom about how the world works to future generations. Some of the verses are direct, while others are lessons from simply truths that apply more broadly to many areas of life.
Today we’re going to look at one of those simple lessons with broader application.
If you have found honey, eat only enough for you,
Proverbs 25:16
lest you have your fill of it and vomit it.
While it is true that honey, being so sugary, could easily cause one to lose their stomach if consumed too much, it is clear this verse can apply to many things in life. When this verse was written, honey would have been one of the only common ways the average person would experience sugar of any kind. Therefore, it would have been a treat to find it, but also a temptation to overconsume it.
There are many things in life that are a blessing in themselves but can quickly turn one’s stomach (metaphorically) when overindulged. Food of other kinds is the easiest example to expand this concept too. It is a necessary thing for man to eat and a feast can be an amazing thing to bring people together. However, a life of constant feasting would likely be a life cut short and full of problems.
This verse applies even more broadly, however. A bit of entertainment can be a great way to relax after a day of work but can quickly lead to a life of slothfulness when it becomes the focus of one’s life. Romance can be a blessing within a marriage but go beyond those limits and it will destroy one’s life.
There are many liberties within the life of a Christian for which we ought to receive with thanksgiving. However, we should always be mindful that there is such a thing as “too much of a good thing”.
Don’t Be “Too Much” Yourself
The next verse is very similar to it in some ways.
Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor’s house,
Proverbs 25:17
lest he have his fill of you and hate you.
Our company should be a blessing to others. Especially in our current age where we’ve never been more “connected” and yet so many feel so alone, the presence of another can be a true comfort. However, the warning here is that even such a thing as company can turn one’s stomach when exceeding a certain level.
This can apply to more than just company as well. When we seek to be a blessing to others with gifts, assistance, etc… it can become a problem if we don’t practice discernment on when enough is enough. Eventually, even the most well intentioned socializing with others can become a burden to them.
Limits are Healthy
These verses paint an even bigger picture about the dangers of overdoing just about everything in life. While we should certainly pursue what is good that likely isn’t always going to be the same thing for every occasion. Sometimes what people need is space. Sometimes what we need is a bit less fun and a little more seriousness.
Beware of falling into a trap of thinking all problems have one solution. Too much of a good thing is actually impossible, because at the point where it becomes “too much” it is no longer what is good for the specific situation.
To always be a blessing to others and to practice healthy living ourselves, we must recognize when things are needed and when they’re actually becoming a problem. Gluttony is about more than just food. People can overindulge in many things and avoiding these things takes self-reflection.
Setting limits for yourself can be a good way to notice when you’ve got an unhealthy relationship with something you thought was “good” because eventually you’ll see those things that you are tempted to continue pursuing beyond those bounds.
