Drinking, Tobacco, Finery, Luxury, Gluttony

Drinking, Tobacco, Finery, Luxury, Gluttony

All these things are essentially one and the same sin, and they all fall under this word: “But she [he] who lives in pleasure is dead while she [he] lives.” 1 Tim. 5:6. Likewise, they are also blatant transgressions of this word: “And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.” 1 Tim. 6:8. These sins fight vigorously against the laws of love, mercy, compassion, righteousness, and wisdom, as well as all the laws of goodness!!!

None of us need intoxicating drinks, gluttony, tobacco, finery, or luxury. All of this is first of all useless and harmful, and secondly, they cost much money, even very much money. All this is wasted just as if one were to burn paper money for fun. At the same time we know that we will always have the poor in our midst. There are poor and sick people all over the place—in other words, people who are truly in need—both within and outside the church. What these poor wretches could have used for food and clothing has, in a manner of speaking, been burned (or we can also say that their clothing and food has been burned). In other words, these are terrible deeds!

The money that has been wasted on these things could also have been used for expenses connected with the preaching of the Word of God, and thus for the salvation of souls. In this way we can also with all authority and in the deepest sense of the word say that we have become indirectly responsible for the murder of souls if we use money for useless things, or to satisfy our lusts.

How can a person possibly say that he has love, mercy, compassion, righteousness, wisdom, and goodness in his heart if he intentionally destroys and burns something that others need for food and clothing, or that could have been used for the salvation of souls?

Intoxicating beverages, tobacco, finery, and luxury, as well as gluttony are a testimony against each individual who makes use of these things. All of these things testify to a selfish, hard, cold, and foolish heart.

Temperance people stay away from intoxicating beverages, but not from tobacco. Converted people usually avoid both; but finery, luxury, and gluttony are almost never spoken about—and the result is accordingly obvious. Weeds grow quite nicely when they are left alone. This is also the case with sin.