Be Sensitive To Others
"It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall." -- Romans 14:21
Alcohol is a big deal in the Deep South. There are those who argue vehemently that the Bible says don't drink. It doesn't say that but you'll never convince them. The other side is just as adamant. They argue that there's nothing wrong with drinking alcohol, especially in moderation.
Another big issue in this part of the country involves food. Lots and lots of food. We do church suppers like nobody else. If the table isn't groaning, something is dreadfully wrong. Desserts will line one long wall. Table after table after table of delicious concoctions. We all get a plate and get started. A taste of this and a taste of that and we're on a sugar high that won't end for a week.
Nobody ever suggests doing away with the dessert table. They'd probably kick you out of the church, and possibly the South, for even suggesting such a thing. We tend to ignore news reports about our obese nation and the health problems all that extra weight causes.
The Bible verse above and others in the same chapter are frequently used by those who oppose alcohol. They insist we shouldn't sell alcohol because some folks have a problem with it. We don't want to encourage drinking or tempt alcoholics. Certaintly, Paul warns against doing anything that would cause someone else to fall.
Where does that leave dessert? Everyone knows someone who is obese. Most of us are overweight. Many people are dealing with weight-related health issues such as diabetes and heart disease. Where are the people intent on protecting others from bad influences? If they're going to condemn alcohol, surely cakes, cookies and pies deserve the same fate.
Wait a minute. I don't hear anything. You mean nobody wants to ban desserts from the church social? Are cookies and cupcakes forever going to tempt us as we move down the grocery store aisles? Remember Paul didn't limit his example to alcohol. He included meat and anything else that might cause your brother to fall.
I realize that to some people dessert and alcohol are nothing alike. Drunks can and do have car wrecks that kill innocent people. Overweight people usually destroy their own health. They also hurt their families and take a huge chunk out of all our pocketbooks. They suffer an addiction much like an alcoholic.
Each of us has different weaknesses, just as we have different strengths. We should help those around us as they struggle, whether it is with alcohol, food or anything else. That means don't drink in front of an alcoholic. And don't serve a rich dessert to someone struggling with weight issues. We should be sensitive to those around us even as we exercise our right to partake of something the Bible doesn't ban. Paul gave us sound advice. We should follow it.
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