34-36“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Enter, you who are blessed by my Father! Take what’s coming to you in this kingdom. It’s been ready for you since the world’s foundation. And here’s why:
I was hungry and you fed me,
I was thirsty and you gave me a drink,
I was homeless and you gave me a room,
I was shivering and you gave me clothes,
I was sick and you stopped to visit,
I was in prison and you came to me.’
37-40“Then those ‘sheep’ are going to say, ‘Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?’ Then the King will say, ‘I’m telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me.’
Matthew 25:34-46 (The Message)
Food is mentioned throughout the Bible, as we have already noticed since we’re on week seven (!) of our Food & Faith Challenge already. This session covers a lot of ground, and Amy at Homestead Revival is a brave soul for taking this on! I think she did a great job.
How has our culture blurred the line between feasting and everyday eating?
As we all know, our culture didn’t start out feasting everyday. Gathering one’s food and sustenance was just about an all-consuming struggle for survival. Everyday eating was a means of survival, with occasional feasts that were highly anticipated.
And even when the industrial revolution took place during the 18th and 19th centuries, many still spent a large portion of their income on obtaining food.
By the early 1900’s a family spent about 43 percent of their budget on groceries, but by the late 1980’s they only spent about 19 percent. Some of this was due to greater farming technology that resulted in falling food prices, but regardless, the results has meant that most families now can spend less on food and more on wants and desires. And with this new affluent lifestyle we have more disposable income to eat out and purchase “treats” that once were rare occasions.
I remember as a child in the late 1960’s, if I made straight A’s, my parents would reward me with a trip to Kip’s Big Boy so I could eat a restaurant hamburger. It was a rare occasion to dine somewhere other than at home and therefore special! Today, my own kids would think of this as laughable! While we may eat out less than the average American family, it still isn’t all that unusual to stop at a restaurant for a meal. And when we do, every family member can “feast” by ordering whatever they so choose (provided Mom allows it!).
Now, when a holiday arrives that we would normally celebrate with a “feast”, we are hard pressed to serve anything that is really “special”. For example a turkey at Thanksgiving can be had all year long if one wants. The holiday ham? Again, it really isn’t out of reach. Our supermarket isles are loaded and boast that they can give you anything you want, whenever you want, from anywhere in the world.
In addition, we find all kinds of reasons to celebrate with food because we CAN. We can afford to have prime rib to celebrate a birthday, go out to a gourmet restaurant with friends on a Friday night, or enjoy a decadent chocolate cake on Valentine’s Day. Sure it may put a slight ding in our pocket book, but most aren’t going to go without a meal because they splurged a bit. Our new-found affluence along with the technology we have been able to harness has blurred the lines of feasting and eating for everyday sustenance.
How might we benefit if we recaptured the joy of saving certain foods for special occasions? (John 2:1-11 and John 21:1-14 )
When we eat certain foods all the time, they loose they importance. They become commonplace and mundane. By reserving certain foods for those special celebrations, we elevate their status and reclaim their significance in our lives. Let me give you an example of how this works.
For centuries, Sunday (or the Saturday Sabbath for some) was set aside as a day of rest. It had special significance. All other days were common and full of hard work. But when Sunday arrived, it was special; set apart; a day to celebrate. No one worked for the most part and everyone benefited by having a time of rejuvenation because God designed our bodies to be revived in part through resting.
It’s the same with our foods. Our bodies are not designed for feasting 365 days a year. Or even 165 for that matter! And we’re starting to reap the consequences of having done so. Today obesity, disease, and a lack of productivity are all on the rise. If we recaptured the concept of holding certain foods back for times of true celebration and feasting, our digestive systems and our bodies overall would benefit by having periods of rest from over indulging and our spirits would be refreshed because we would actually have held some things as sacred in the sense of being “set apart” (which is what the biblical word sanctified means).
How can we learn not to take for granted God’s gift of “ordinary” food and the creation that makes it possible?
I’m sure that manna and quail was a treat and tasted really good the first week the Israelites ate it, but by year 39 or 40, it was no longer special, but rather just an everyday meal. Imagine that in contrast to the promise of a land flowing with milk and honey! I’m sure it required the Israelites to learn to cultivate a grateful heart despite the repetition of manna and quail on a daily basis. It’s a choice they had to make and one we must make as well. However, I think the fact that they didn’t have other choices in front of them all the time may have made it slightly easier.
Everyday we are hit by an onslaught of food advertising encouraging us to purchase some product or patronize a food establishment. It’s constant! And our attitude can quickly slip back into the mentality that we “deserve” a break today from our “ordinary” foods.
I am a firm believer that an individual can cultivate one’s palate to appreciate God-given foods that some people would consider ordinary. But to do so, you can’t be eating the sugary man-made foods all the time. Most foods eaten as close to the way God made them as possible are satisfying, nutrient rich, and healthy for our bodies, while man-made foods cause us to crave more and more without being satisfied, they lack nutrients, and often do as much damage as good. However, God warns that even some of the foods He has given us should be eaten in moderation and on occasions rather than regularly. For example, Proverbs 25:16 warns, “Have you found honey? Eat only what you need, that you not have it in excess and vomit it”.
Also, if we participate in growing our own food, we appreciate it more because we have invested ourselves in the process of acquiring it through labor and toil. And it doesn’t always result in what we hope. The home gardener quickly realizes that creation answers to God, not us! He sends rain when it pleases Him and pests as well. As a result, there is both satisfaction and gratefulness when that perfect tomato comes off the vine!
How can we make both our daily meals and our feasts a time of gratitude and recognizing God’s presence?
Nancy Campbell, in her DVD The Family Meal Table, says that each time we come to the table we are to eat not only physically, but spiritually as well. When I first heard this it rang true in my spirit! While we already observed a time of reading devotions at the table, it spurred me on to make it a regular part of our lives at as many meals as possible. Although we aren’t able to do so every single time, we have made it regular practice and something we try to characterize our lives by. Sometimes we just read a scripture passage while at other times we read a devotional book. We’ve even read a storybook that was based on scripture. And before we leave the table we always pray a second time to thank God and ask for His blessings. I’m grateful that my girls are growing up with this, and hopefully for them, it will be a holy habit!
When we feast, it is often harder to incorporate these practices if your extended family is large (and sometimes loud!) and not of the same religious persuasion. However, if you plan as much for the spiritual element as much as you do the food, and you do so ahead of time, you can incorporate something that should make the meal spiritually special.
Many people like to add three kernels of corn at each place setting for the Thanksgiving meal so that individuals can thank God for three blessings during the past year. At Christmas, we often have a birthday cake for Jesus and sing happy birthday to Him. I find that celebrating a Messianic Passover Seder the week prior to Easter is one of my favorite times of feasting spiritually. We use a Christian Haggadah from The Friends of Israel that shows how Christ is the fulfillment of all that the Passover signifies. It never ceases to amaze me!
Guidelines for eating: Leviticus 11, Romans 14:14-21. Is it possible for Christians to imagine new guidelines for eating that don’t lend themselves to legalism or creating divisions?
I believe so. And I’ve been trying to practice this for the past 11 years after reading Rex Russell’s book What The Bible Says About Healthy Eating. He gives three guidelines in his book: 1) eat only what God calls food, 2) eat food as close to the way as God made it as possible, and 3) don’t make any food your god.
While we have freedoms in Christ, not everything is profitable. Many people have taken the command to Peter in Acts 10 as a license to eat whatever they want, whenever they want. God never said this. He did say that it was okay to do so when Peter was with Gentiles. When I go to someone’s home and they serve ham, I am free to eat it with joy and thanksgiving. However, I don’t typically eat this food in my own home on a regular basis. Keep in mind that while God’s dietary laws were to set the Jewish nation apart from all the other nations, these laws also protected them physically from many diseases that often plagued pagan cultures.
What would your own guidelines for eating with justice and joy look like?
When determining what my family will eat, I always want to consider what God calls food and how did he design it to be consumed. For me, this means:
1) eating locally produced food,
2) that grows in the seasons that God designed it,
3) grown by a method that is in line with God’s economy,
4) in a humane manner (Prov. 12:10; Gen. 1:28-30), and
5) preparing it as close to the way as He made it as possible.
This is a simplified statement, but it gives me a starting point for consideration as well as peace that I’m working within His design to the best of my knowledge.
The power of sharing food with others: Matthew 25;34-36, 2 Samuel 9. What does the Samuel passage tell us about the importance in that culture of being invited to eat with someone?
Hospitality didn’t just mean sharing one’s food, it meant that the host or hostess considered you’re well being above their own. The host would sacrifice his own needs to provide for the one he had invited. When David brought Mephibosheth to his table, he was committing himself to Mephibosheth’s well being. And for a lame man, this meant LIFE!
What meaning has sharing food had for you in the past? Do you ever invite others to eat with you?
Many of my fondest childhood memories are centered around food. A meal on the table meant security, abundance, and love. And when my mother passed on, her recipes were what I treasured most. Preparing the foods she cooked connected us and brought comfort even though she was no longer with me. I’ve sought to build a similar foundation with my own daughters by cooking together often. We enjoy tasting and trying new recipes, new techniques, and new foods. In this we share as a family.
With friends, sharing a meal provides a platform for connecting our lives and talking about what is on our heart; from debating an issue in love to discussing a passage of scripture or talking about how God is working in our lives. Sharing a meal brings us together.
But if we stop with just sharing a meal with family or friends, we miss an element of hospitality that God has called us to practice. Matthew 5:46-47 says:
“For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?
“If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?
This is where I am seeking to stretch myself as a follower of Christ. It isn’t always easy if our sphere of contacts doesn’t include those society considers needy, so we may have to be creative. For me, I need to grow in this area. Therefore I’m considering a community gardening project or a food pantry program that reaches out to the hungry in my area. I hope not only to share good food, but build relationships in Christian love. That’s food for the soul!
This Week’s Challenge
Questions for Reflection (share your response below for any one of these for an entry in this week’s drawing)
- What strikes you ab0ut the above themes? How do they relate to what you’ve discovered about joy-filled eating?
- What would your own guidelines for eating with justice and joy look like?
Challenge to Action (choose one of these and post on your blog and add a link below to the specific post about this challenge or email me before Friday for an additional entry into this week’s drawing).
- In your congregation or group, when do you usually eat together, or invite others to eat with you? Are there ways you might expand these opportunities to share food, without placing an unacceptable burden on those who prepare the food?
- Explore an organization in your own community that is trying to feed the hungry.
The prize:
This week’s giveaway is a copy of The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth: The Surprising, Unbiased Truth About What You Should Eat and Why Generously donated by the author, Jonny Bowden, who is one of my favorite writers!
And the winner is . . . an anonymous blogger over at Thy Hand.
“It’s the same with our foods. Our bodies are not designed for feasting 365 days a year. Or even 165 for that matter! And we’re starting to reap the consequences of having done so”
You know when someone says ‘this rang true for me’? Well, your statement above rang as loud as a gong! I soooooooo believe we, as a society, have lost the idea of a ;treat’ and ‘occasional indulgence’. I have made it my personal mission to teach my children about this!
“Most foods eaten as close to the way God made them as possible are satisfying, nutrient rich, and healthy for our bodies, while man-made foods cause us to crave more and more without being satisfied, they lack nutrients, and often do as much damage as good.”
YES!!!!! I see it first hand when my family eats true junk food. We are scouring the cabinets looking for more even before we have finished what we started. Eating fast food produces the same ‘I need more’ response. When we eat a nutritious-foods-in-their-natural-state meal, we are satisfied for hours. And, I am not left thinking about the next meal, but instead thanking GOD for the meal he just provided. Since I am full and content, I am able to move on and give thanks instead of wanting for more.
Currently I am inviting friends to travel with me to the local Farmer’s Market. Some have been before and for others it is a new experience. I feel like I am sharing a new idea of how to both support our local farmers as well as feed their families in a healthy manner. So exciting!
.-= Amy´s last blog ..sites at the saturday market =-.
I think Amy did a great job above. Her family’s guidelines are very similar to ours. I would add that we try to grow/raise most of our food. There is something about the connection between seed to table that instills a respect for food and our Creator. We, too, try to keep special occasions special. Easter is the only time of year we serve ham and other specialty foods. It makes preparing that food and partaking such a celebration because it really is special and uncommon. Cutting out processed sugar for myself and decreasing it for my family has also made birthdays a true celebration because we then have cake! I think so much of it boils down to self-control. It’s a fruit of the Spirit that our country could stand to work on:-).
Amy did a wonderful job! I feel it’s so important to gather around the family table and give thanks to God for providing for us. Even on nights when my husband works late and cannot be home, the kids and I still sit together, say grace and enjoy our food. I also agree with Amy that our bodies are not designed to feast 365 days a year. I notice it in myself and my family when we eat too heavy or rich for a couple of days. Everyone seems a little out of balance. Nothing restores us more than a simple meal of wholesome veggies and grains. I still struggle (and likely always will) with what my children are served at daycare, but I know that by providing them the wholesome foods at home–straight from the garden in summer–that I am helping to establish proper eating habits. It’s hard to convince their teachers/school director about healthy eating when every last one of them is battling weight issues.
As for gatherings with family who are loud, my 3 year old took it upon herself and flatly said that we can’t eat until grace is said. So, although not everyone participated as not everyone eats together at my in-law’s gatherings, those that were seated at the table all took a minute to say grace. I could not have been more proud of her than at that moment. I suppose the habits we’re instilling at home really are taking root!
It just hit me recently that there is a reason why the Sunday roast chicken was special! When we are paying $3.75 per pound of pasture raised organic hens, this seems like a good tradition to start up again. It also helps to make the Lord’s day very special.
So true Laryssa! I totally agree!
“When we eat certain foods all the time, they loose they importance. They become commonplace and mundane. By reserving certain foods for those special celebrations, we elevate their status and reclaim their significance in our lives.” Well said! I refuse to serve turkey except at Thanksgiving and Christmas and sticky buns are only made at Easter. Not only does the food seem to taste better, it seems to make the special days more special.
I thought this was a great post! When I first started cooking from scratch I always tried to make a big, fancy meal and have something baked for a snack or dessert…but I was in the kitchen ALL THE TIME! And I was always too exhausted to even enjoy it! Now I’ve learned that it’s ok to have a simple meal or leftovers, and not have dessert every night–saving the nice meals for special occasions. And that it’s more about the fellowship with my family than the food. Thanks for sharing this post Amy.
I totally agree! Simple meals are sometimes the best, too, especially if it’s with good ingredients. Like home-grown tomatoes. Yum.
Thanks Kari! I’m really curious if people in other countries eat as much as we do at most meals? I’ve always assumed that they do not, but perhaps I’m wrong. If it’s true, that they eat less than we do, it’s just one more thing that suggests to me that we feast way too much!
It depends on the country. In developed parts of Europe they eat similarly, although a bit less processed. In the developing world, it’s much less, but that’s mostly due to availability of food (or lack thereof). I know that many of our returning missionaries and those visiting the U.S. for the first time are shocked at portion sizes and all the choices in the grocery store are overwhelming. They will also often get sick, and report that everything has a sweet taste to it (I’m guessing because of all the HFCS that is in much of our food?)
We have recently overhauled our eating this past year. We have gotten rid of over processed foods, additives, preservatives, HFCS, etc. I am just now reading a book called Nourishing Traditions and it goes into so much detail about how foods used to be prepared and how that has changed. I know one thing that I can do as part of making our meals more of a joy and a time to come together is by doing some of the things you mentioned. We have gotten back to eating whole foods and more like God intended. We eat together as a family, but it is usually quick. My kids are learning to help in the kitchen and they are a part of the whole process, but actually taking time to linger at the table is such a wonderful thing to implement NOW while they are still young. Thanks for your encouragement! Sounds like your book would be a wonderful resource!
I have the book Nourishing Traditions – it was kind of overwhelming, but I have made some new friends in recent months who follow its principles so it’s starting to seem less intimidating 🙂
This has given me a lot to think about. I have gotten to the point where eating out is no longer a treat. I never thought that was possible. I am trying to feed my family more along the guidelines you have. Not perfect but working towards it. Thank you for a great post.
.-= Christy´s last blog ..How to wash those pesky hand washables! =-.
My father passed away 3 weeks ago and when I think of the memories I have of him, some of the best are of our family’s suppertime–the closeness that was built, the games we played at the table, the devotions and prayer that he lead. It really was a time of nourishing the spirit of our family, as well as our bodies. We have made eating together as a family a priority in our house and never regretted it. While my mom made more elaborate meals, I tend more toward the simpler meals made from our CSA food or the food we grow or get at the farmer’s market. Eating this way, making these choices, really does make a different not only in our heath, but in how we look at the world and the responsibilities we have been given by God. Thanks for the great post, Amy!
Great post.
Our family is EXTREMELY passionate about this topic.
Food simply tastes better when it is from labor of your hands, and in season 🙂 Not to mention all the health factors.
We keep biblical food laws and are soon on our way to completely living off the land! Our next goal is to help others do the same.
This will not be getting any easier.
I had never really thought about making some foods kind of “off limits” except for those special occasions, but I can see the wisdom in it. I would like to try to be a bit more simple in our meals and focus less on what we get to eat and focus more on being together, making it a time of family and of faith and thanking the Lord for the simple foods He gave us. Thanks for giving me something to think about.
Wow, the number comparisons on the food budget just blew me away! It is so sad that most of America today thinks so little of the food they eat. I’d like to think that we spend quite a bit of money on food but not in a frivolous way; in a “we’re going to eat the best food possible” kind of way. I watch for sales, shop around and grow as much as possible (but even a garden takes money.)
Thanks for the article, I really enjoyed reading it!
Thank you for sharing this. We have been working on our diets for a little while now. We have found that the simpler the meal, the better it is. I do find myself arguing with myself to not add and add to “round out” every meal.
I really liked this post and was especially struck by the fact that Americans used to spend such a high percentage of money on their food. It actually makes me feel a little better, because I often feel I am spending too much, when I think that is just what it costs to eat well. Also, I would like to focus more on eating what is in season.
Thank you!
Kate
Great article! I am trying my best to get away from having meat at every meal. I can do without it, but my husband will be a harder egg to crack! I am looking for great ways to incorporate proteins without meat and things still taste good. I also like the idea of simpler meals. I will go good for a week or so and then be burnt out for several days. I think it is just because of all the time spent in food prep. I think with summer here and produce easier to come by, then our meals can be a lot simpler.
My husband insists on keeping canned chicken in the house to add to things that he realizes are vegetarian LOL. I realize it’s not very healthy but I’m hoping he’ll quit that habit.
I completely agree with the idea of “special” foods. We have such access to feasting, when you can trot down to the Olive Garden without thinking twice. It becomes very easy to dismiss the simple meals. I totally remember going to a Burger Chef being a special treat! And soda was not an everyday drink. Seasonal eating is something my family enjoys a lot – strawberries in spring, watermelon in summer, apples and pumpkins in fall. The way God designed it. Great article!
We’ve always eaten in more often than most of the people we know, and eating out always felt like a “treat”, but recently we’ve been doing some home construction (deck in the backyard right off the kitchen) and our dining area has become a repository of tools that are being used… Cooking has taken a backseat due to the mess, plus we’ve been using our usual cooking time after work for construction work — and we’ve been eating out practically every night. Not only have I gained about 5 pounds, but I’m also sick of eating out. Everything tastes extremely salty or sweet and I feel sick to my stomach after eating. I’m ready to have my kitchen back! I’m thinking a few days of simple rice and bean meals sounds awesome right now!
.-= Marguerite´s last blog ..How I learned to Knit and Crochet =-.
When I first began my food journey due to health reasons, I’ll admit it was quite difficult. It quickly became aware to me how addicted I had become to sugars and processed foods. I have completely revamped our families diet and as a result I no longer find myself satisfied with eating out. I follow much of the same principles Amy states above (Great article!) and when I’m out I’m constantly questioning the food on my plate. Was the worker that prepared it given a fair wage and provided a safe work environment? Was the food grown/raised in a sustainable manner that protects and values God’s earth, air, water, and other resources? Is this food that will nourish me and give me the strength and health I need to be of service to God? Am I using the resources I have been given from our Creator to support businesses that follow similar principles when it comes to their business? Often as I do my research the answer to these questions is a definite NO! I have been able to find some local places which support most or all of these principles and we will visit those places as a treat. But, as a former sugar and processed food lover, I can say that anyone looking to change their eating habits can. Make God a part of your daily food decisions, pray for his help and guidance to get you through the rough patches, and give thanks to Him when you are able to resist that candy bar and choose some in season berries instead. By making God a deliberate part of my food journey (and sometimes having to pray 1Cor 10:13 when at a party or friend’s place filled with an overabundance of treats), I have found that making good food choices usually comes easy because it stops being about what I want and crave and instead focuses on loving the creator and all of His creation and choosing responsible food.
Katie, those are wise words indeed. I’m beginning to realize that I can only do this through Him. It’s not easy.
I have felt this way about the consumption of food (clothing, materialism etc) for the past few years, and have really taken a conscious effort to really feast at times of celebration with the body of Christ…..
I totally strive to have just my daily bread met and not “store up” my cupboards…. living on the foods that are brought to us seasonally and locally.
but to read it in this way, brought tears to my eyes of how our world has become so distant and selfish in gratifying ourselves.
to have the scriptures speak this way about eating really puts life into perspective and how we have strayed from that main focus…. of worshiping God.
thank you for this… it has spoken greatness to me as I pray it will to others.
tif
Thank you for this article – very eye opening and inspiring!!!
I am most challenged with bringing a more spiritual tone to the table. My grandpa always “returned thanks” after the meal was over. Maybe this is something we should reconsider & bring back. I’ll have to think on this awhile!
In the last few months, I’ve taken a step back to look at what/how/why my family is eating. I’ve realized that there are many changes that need to be made for our health and mental well being. Our daughter is 3 1/2 and absolutely loves being in the kitchen and helping cook. I started making things from scratch initially as a way to get her involved and spend time with her. Then I picked up a few different books (Real Food, Food Rules, and You Are What You Eat) and I started thinking about food in a new light. So now, we eat with purpose, we eat home made, home grown, local, organic and natural foods. It feels good knowing that my daughter will grow up knowing where real food comes from.
This was an extremely thought provoking post for me. I have begun a journey in our home towards more healthy eating – knowing where our food comes from, eating in season. But, I have done it for health reasons and truly didn’t connect preparing food as close to God intended and in the way He intended. I have a lot to learn. I think that this is a truly a topic that most Christians don’t even think about. Now I want to go back to previous posts and read the titles referenced. Thanks for the insight!
You’ve given me some “food for thought” so to speak. The many topics here have been on my mind for a while, I just haven’t come to any conclusions yet. I believe in eating foods as close to their God created manner as possible, but it’s certainly a life changing habit to get into. I get overwhelmed and then become unprepared, so then it’s too easy to go out to eat. I need to find the balance that’s good for me and my family without becoming legalistic. Thanks for the great info!
Great post! I have been thinking about this all week and could easily write 5 posts about all of my thoughts on this topic. I chose to focus on the question of “What would your own guidelines of eating with justice and joy look like”?
http://www.questforrealfood.com/2010/05/food-and-faith-challenge-bible-and-food.html
I think two things I am still thinking through are 1. the idea of eating for nourishment and eating for pleasure and how they fit together (I don’t think they are at odds, but I am still trying to think through the balance) and 2. how we can eat foods as to the way God created them while also enjoying plenty of creativity in cooking.
Thanks for taking the time to write this Amy. And thanks for the Food and Faith Challenge!
A worthy endeavor indeed ~ this has certainly confirmed the direction that I need to take with our family!
“I am a firm believer that an individual can cultivate one’s palate to appreciate God-given foods that some people would consider ordinary. But to do so, you can’t be eating the sugary man-made foods all the time. Most foods eaten as close to the way God made them as possible are satisfying, nutrient rich, and healthy for our bodies, while man-made foods cause us to crave more and more without being satisfied, they lack nutrients, and often do as much damage as good. However, God warns that even some of the foods He has given us should be eaten in moderation and on occasions rather than regularly. For example, Proverbs 25:16 warns, “Have you found honey? Eat only what you need, that you not have it in excess and vomit it”.
This is so true! The yummy goodness of the foods our Creator provides far surpasses that of ANYTHING you can buy in the sore! We love to eat out of the garden and home-make our food. Buying in season is the best thing to do because then fruits and veggies don’t lose their “special treat” value. Thank you so much for posting this. Planning on sharing 😀 Elissa shroutmommy4.blogspot.com
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