The Poverty of Drunkards and Gluttons - Proverbs 23:21

In the book of Proverbs Solomon said, “be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh”, and in chapter twenty-three and verse twenty-one of Proverbs Solomon said, “the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty” where we read,

For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty:

and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.

The verse begins, “For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty:” Solomon began with the words, “for the drunkard” or “because, since and on account that the person who is a wine-bibber, heavy drinker and tipsy” “and the glutton” which means “and the worthless, vile, lavish and riotous eaters” “shall come to poverty” or “will seize, dispossess, inherit and cause the person to be impoverished, in want and in need”. Solomon said the heavy drinker and riotous eating person will be impoverished and in need. 

The verse goes on to say, “and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.” Solomon continued with the words, “and drowsiness” or “and somnolence, indolence and slumber” “shall clothe a man” which means “will dress and array a person whether male or female” “with rags” or “by the means of torn pieces of garment or fabric”. Solomon said sleepiness would array a person with the means of torn pieces of fabric or garments. 

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Solomon how people who are heavy drinkers, riotous eaters and indolence leads a person to impoverishment and need. God warns us through Solomon to keep away from such people and activities because they cause destruction and ruin in our lives. God loves us, and He proved His love by sending His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for our sins. When we yield our lives to Him as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and keep us from “drunkards, gluttonous eaters and drowsy” people who will ruin our lives. 

Next time Solomon says, “hearken unto your father that begot you”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".