Eat Those Veggies: A (Non-vegetarian) Lesson from Proverbs

There is a good reason for you to eat your vegetables and enjoy them.

I guess if you want to lower your cholesterol that might be the number 1 reason, but let’s think spiritually.

If you had a choice between a eating (either meal in the scenario is free) a big juicy piece of meat or a handful of radishes and tomatoes, you would probably opt for the carnivorous option (unless you’re a vegetarian). By the way, here’s an opinionated side note - Jesus ate fish and kosher meat, so don’t think yourself highly spiritual for living on lettuce. No where in the Bible does Jesus ask you to be a rabbit.

That aside, the piece of meat would be worth more to you and would fill you up better, so radishes and tomatoes would probably not be your choice.

Now, let’s add something to the scenario.

Would you still want the steak or chicken if you had to share the meal with the crabbiest, most ungrateful, most annoying person you know?

Or would you choose to eat peas and carrots just because the meal was going to be shared with the kindest, most conversational and interesting person in the world?

Which is more important? The food or the company with whom you must share it?

The book of Proverbs is full of the wisest sayings known to humankind. Why? Because it was inspired by the very Spirit of the Lord God Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.

Proverbs 15:17 “Better is a dish of vegetables where love is than a fattened ox served with hatred.”

What are you dishing out? Are you a kindhearted person with whom others will choose to spend their time? Are you thoughtful and generous? You don’t like to be on the receiving end of grumpyness, so do you really think anyone else wants to hear your wrath?

Eat your vegetables in peace. There is no point in lavishly indulging yourself in the company of enemies. Why spend $100 on an elegant dinner out when you don’t show love to the people with whom you interact?

Even if its a coworker you don’t like, learn to love them. Your attitude toward them could very well lead them to Jesus.

Husbands and wives - if you are not eating together in peace and there is strife in your home, the solution is not divorce (unless abuse has occurred and its a safety issue). The solution is learning to break bread together, putting Jesus in the center of your relationship and learning to live on the veggies that is the good Word of God rather than indulging your sinful flesh who wants to cause discord and strife. What’s the point of eating a great meal if all you do is argue?

Talk to your pastors. Pray together. Seek counsel as needed. But don’t let the enemy continue to sow discord in your life. Learn how to share a good meal together with whomever it is that you are having difficulty and by all means, if it is you who is making someone else’s life difficult, pray, and seek the guidance of God so that together you can overcome.

Serve up everything with love. And you will be healthy, both physically and spiritually.

~ por raveh on Abril 3, 2008.