Our wisdom today comes from Proverbs 25:16:
“If you find honey, eat just what you need, lest you have too much and vomit it up.”
This proverb, though simple, carries a profound message that’s challenging to follow in our modern world. Let’s paraphrase it: “When you encounter something sweet, enjoy it in moderation—excess can turn pleasure into pain.”
We live in a time of abundance, in a land overflowing with opportunities and comforts. It’s easy to lose sight of moderation when surrounded by such plenty.
You might think of the extravagant feasts described in biblical times—lavish banquets with abundant food and endless tables of delicacies, often leading to overindulgence. But let’s be honest, doesn’t that sound a lot like our modern all-you-can-eat buffets?
With this perspective, let’s revisit the proverb. “If you find honey,”—and indeed, we have. We’re surrounded by ‘sweetness’ in various forms. The wisdom lies in the next part: “Eat just what you need, lest you have too much and vomit it up.”
While excess can bring momentary joy, it often leads to long-term consequences.
In a world that constantly urges us to indulge, perhaps true wisdom lies in knowing when to say “enough.”
I’m Lonnie Davis, and these are thoughts worth thinking.