Don’t Hesitate to Appreciate

“The full soul loatheth an honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.”  Proverbs 27:7

The wisest human that ever lived was King Solomon of Israel.  God asked him what he would like for God to give him.  Solomon didn’t ask for riches or a long life, but he asked for an understanding heart, and God granted him a real treasure trove of wisdom.  Solomon desired an understanding heart in order to be able to rightly judge among the people over whom he reigned (I Kings 3:5-12).  Wisdom is taking the knowledge that we have and knowing how to use it for the benefit of oneself and of others.

Solomon not only demonstrated his God-given wisdom in judging the people and settling civil matters, he also wrote proverbs, short statements that presented practical advice.  Many of them were two part statements.  In some verses, the two statements are two ways of stating the same idea.  But in other verses, the two statements are actually opposite to one another.  For example, he wrote a positive statement and then a negative one which contrasted how people view life, you know, like the “glass half full, the glass half empty” way of looking at things.  The proverbs are good advice for anyone, whether one believes in God or not.  They are basically common sense rules for maintaining integrity and getting along with one’s fellow human beings.

This particular proverb stated above caught my eye when I was reading my daily devotional booklet.  The first part refers to one who has so much stuff that nothing really has any real value to him or her.  We Americans are blessed beyond measure materially.  Even though times have been tough over the last few weeks, Americans are still rich when compared to much of the rest of the world.  Even the poorest among us have cell phones, big screen televisions, computers, and some have cars.  We have government programs that provide food stamps, and many churches have clothes closets, pantries, and give out vouchers for gasoline.  Those who have an abundance sometimes take it for granted that all their stuff is always going to be there.  Solomon described this type of person as one who has eaten so much that the thought of food is nauseating.

On the other hand, those who are lacking in basic human needs are most appreciative when they do receive the things that they need.  I think back to when my parents were young.  They didn’t have much, but they always had what they needed because they depended on the Lord.  They were certainly thankful for the food, clothes, and the roof over their heads, even though their homes were nothing like homes that are built today.  And they didn’t whine and complain or try to keep up with the Joneses.  Beside, the Joneses didn’t have any more than they did.

One other thing.  I remember years ago I went to a family gathering.  We were all chatting, and two of my aunts were sitting on the sofa with me.  They had just returned from a visit to the World’s Fair which was held in Knoxville, Tennessee, that year.  One aunt complained about the food that was available there.  The other aunt turned to me and quietly said, “It tasted pretty good to me because I was hungry.”  Thus I guess how a person views his or her blessings all depends on his or her perspective.  We all need to be more appreciative of what we have and be willing to share with those in need.  I think the last few weeks in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic has brought gratitude into a daily reality.  Hopefully what we have learned from this experience will give us more of an understanding heart and cause us never to hesitate to appreciate.