Proverbs 28:4-12 - Word to the Wise

This chapter of Proverbs don't really have a theme like some other ones, it's like a whole collection of different wise sayings. But one thing that keeps coming up here is the comparison between the rich and the poor.

The two verses that really struck me is "He who keeps the law is a discerning son, but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father." in verse 7. The Message words it differently "Practice God's law - get a reputation for wisdom. Hang out with a loose crowd - embarass your family". Usually with books like Proverbs The Message speaks clearer to our generation, but this time I like NIV more, because "loose crowd" is a very vague definition. Nobody classifies their bunch of friends a loose crowd, because friends are something you choose. But NIV phrases it as "companion of gluttons" which speaks strongly to us. We are a generation of gluttons, are we not? It reminds me of The Pardoner's tale, because gluttony is something that's promoted and seen as "the life".

I remember talking with some friends and we agreed that it's always better to order a table with too much food, and know there will be leftovers, than to order "just enough" food so everyone's full. Because if there was "just enough" food you always think you can still keep eating if there were more. Therefore we don't have a "just enough" we only have a "that will do" amount in our mindset. Just enough food will satisfy our hunger, but it won't satisfy our gluttonous desire to feel Too Full. We don't want to be not hungry, we want to be exploding from out stomachs out.