Gluttony: What It Is, What It Isn't, and How It Applies Today

In today’s world, the word “gluttony” often conjures images of overstuffed plates or endless buffet lines. But gluttony, especially as it was understood in biblical times, is much more than just excessive eating. While food and drink were often the focus in those times, gluttony can extend to any area of life where there’s a lack of self-control, resulting in overindulgence or waste. So how do we apply the concept of gluttony in the modern world, where wealth, material possessions, and even physical appearance can easily become objects of excess?

Gluttony in Biblical Times: More Than Just Food

In biblical times, gluttony was closely tied to excess in food and drink because these were often symbols of wealth and overindulgence. Proverbs 23:20-21 warns, “Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat, for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags.” The word gluttony comes from the Hebrew word זָלַל (zalal), which is found in Strong’s Concordance H2151. It means “to be lavish” or “to be reckless,” indicating a wasteful, uncontrolled consumption of resources.

Looking at the pictographs for זָלַל sheds even more light on this word’s meaning:

• Zayin (ז): A weapon, symbolizing conflict or something that nourishes or harms.

• Lamed (ל): A shepherd’s staff, representing authority, guidance, or control.

• Lamed (ל): Repeated, emphasizing the need for guidance and control.

In the biblical context, gluttony wasn’t just about eating too much—it was about letting your desires run wild without control. The pictographs show how, in our excess, we are often cutting ourselves off from the guidance of the Shepherd (Jesus). The weapon (Zayin) can be seen as our unchecked desires, leading us away from the staff (Lamed) of the Shepherd, who guides us to things that are truly nourishing. When we allow our desires to take over, we sever the guidance of Jesus, who is the one leading us toward health, wisdom, and true sustenance. This not only leads to spiritual poverty but also sets us on a path to destruction.

What Gluttony Looks Like Today

Today, gluttony is not just about food and drink. We live in a world where material goods, entertainment, and vanity are plentiful, and it’s easy to overindulge in many aspects of life. Below are seven key areas where modern-day gluttony might manifest itself, beyond the table.

1. Overindulgence in Physical Appearance

In a society that emphasizes beauty and youth, it’s easy for self-care to slip into vanity and obsession. While there’s nothing wrong with taking care of your body, gluttony occurs when someone becomes consumed with their physical appearance. Excessive spending on cosmetic treatments, procedures, or obsessing over how we look reveals a deeper form of gluttony—overindulging in self and ignoring deeper aspects of who we are. This kind of gluttony feeds into a cycle of dissatisfaction, constantly seeking the next enhancement or beauty product.

2. Luxury Housing and Excessive Property

In the realm of housing and property, gluttony manifests when owning multiple extravagant properties is driven by status rather than purpose. While investing in real estate can be a responsible financial strategy, buying more homes than you need, purely to flaunt wealth, crosses into excess. When these properties sit unused or serve no meaningful purpose, it becomes a form of gluttony. Stewardship is key, and it’s important to distinguish between investment and indulgence.

3. Overindulgence in Work and Achievement

In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to overindulge in the pursuit of success and achievement. Being a "workaholic" might seem like a virtue, but when it leads to burnout, strained relationships, and a disconnection from personal values, it becomes another form of gluttony. Overindulgence in work stems from a lack of balance and often results in the neglect of other important areas of life. While ambition and hard work are important, gluttony takes root when we can’t stop striving for more, even when it costs us our health and well-being.

4. Luxury and Opulence

Gluttony also shows up in how we indulge in luxury. Excessive spending on lavish vacations, expensive cars, or extravagant homes for the sake of appearances is another way gluttony manifests in today’s culture. It’s not wrong to enjoy life or the fruits of hard work, but when the drive for status and opulence overtakes the appreciation of simple blessings, we may find ourselves in the grip of excess.

5. Technology and Social Media Addiction

In a world driven by technology, it’s easy to indulge in constant connectivity and distraction. Social media, in particular, feeds the need for validation and attention. Gluttony in this sense means overconsumption of time and attention, constantly seeking likes, comments, or endless entertainment. We lose precious time, allowing technology to become a tool for distraction rather than connection. This can pull us away from meaningful relationships and the guidance we need to stay focused on what really matters.

6. Overindulgence in Entertainment

It’s easy to get lost in entertainment—whether through binge-watching shows, gaming, or consuming content. When entertainment becomes an escape from reality rather than a healthy balance to life, it can quickly spiral into gluttony. Hours can be lost, and responsibilities can be neglected, all for the sake of temporary enjoyment. Like food, entertainment should be enjoyed in moderation, not as a substitute for more meaningful activities.

7. Materialism and Overconsumption

In today’s consumer-driven culture, it’s easy to overindulge in buying things we don’t need. Gluttony appears in the form of excessive shopping, accumulating clothes, gadgets, or luxury goods without necessity. This type of overindulgence not only leads to financial strain but also reflects an unhealthy attachment to material possessions as a source of happiness or fulfillment. Gluttony here involves the constant pursuit of more, regardless of actual need.

The Heart of Gluttony: Balance and Purpose

At the heart of gluttony is a lack of balance and a refusal to be satisfied with enough. It’s about constantly wanting more—whether it’s food, material goods, entertainment, or even attention. But gluttony is not just about excess; it’s about cutting ourselves off from the guidance of the Shepherd. When we give in to overindulgence, we are choosing to let our desires lead us rather than allowing Jesus to guide us toward what is truly nourishing and fulfilling.

Gluttony leads to spiritual destruction, just as overconsumption in other areas of life can lead to physical and emotional harm. The Bible teaches us to practice moderation and to allow God’s guidance to shape our choices, whether in food, wealth, work, or entertainment.

Final Thoughts

Gluttony isn’t just about overeating—it’s about overconsumption in any area of life. The key to avoiding gluttony in today’s world is to strive for balance, purpose, and contentment. Whether we’re managing our time, wealth, or even our attention, the goal is to avoid excess and embrace stewardship. Gluttony in any form distances us from the Shepherd’s guidance, leading us to chase after things that don’t truly fulfill. But when we live with intention and balance, we open ourselves up to the life-giving sustenance that only comes from following the Shepherd’s lead.