“Men prepare a meal for enjoyment” (Eccl. 10:19 NASB).
One day I counted up how many times it is recorded in the Bible that Jesus sat down at a table and had a meal with people. As best as I can remember, it was something like fourteen times that scripture records our Lord’s mealtime activities.
Some of His most profound and penetrating truths were declared in a setting of food preparation and consumption.
Legalistic, ascetic people look suspiciously at the enjoyment of food as though eating is a lust of the flesh or a sin against God. Others deplore it because the “eat, drink and be merry philosophy” has programmed them to automatically view the table as an open invitation to immorality.
Jesus’ warning about overemphasis on food (eating and drinking) in Noah’s day also causes some sincere persons to prefer fasting to eating. And old religious war cry was, “God give us people given to fasting and praying instead of feasting and playing.”
This philosophy could put guilt on people who have a normal approach to food.
I predict that in days to come Christians moving in the reverential joy of the Lord will have more enjoyable meals and hearty fellowship together. God’s blessed people will experience a “good time” with each other and their Lord, knowing full well that this is a type and shadow of a greater banquet that is coming: the wedding supper of the Lamb (Rev. 19:7).
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers
Dick Mills was ordained at The International Church of the Foursquare Gospel in 1949. He and his wife Betty traveled as evangelists all over the United States, Canada, Mexico, Latin America, Europe, and Australia. Dick and Betty are now home in heaven.
In 1966 Dick and Betty became a part of the then-emerging Charismatic Renewal. Passing through all denominational barriers, Dick has had the opportunity to speak in thousands of churches of varied backgrounds all over the world.
He ministered within several Christian organizations, including the Full Gospel Business Men, Women's Aglow, Inter-church Renewal Catholic Pentecostals, mainline Charismatic groups, CBN and TBN television networks, and many other independent Christian TV stations.
Dick appeared on numerous radio talk shows, written several magazine articles, and spoke at many Bible conferences and universities. He served as an adjunct professor at six Schools of the Bible and Seminaries.
In addition, Dick authored and co-authored several books and tapes. Dick's ministry was characterized by the unique gifts God has blessed him with. His services informed, enlightened, and motivated people to a higher level of commitment to God.