Proverbs 23:6-8 Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats: For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee. The morsel which thou hast eaten shalt thou vomit up, and lose thy sweet words.
A man may speak kindly while harbouring selfishness, envy, or resentment. Outward friendliness is not always evidence of inward sincerity. Some give gifts, offer hospitality, or speak pleasant words while inwardly calculating cost, seeking advantage, or begrudging what they give. God, however, is never deceived by appearances, for “man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart” (1Sam. 16:7). The Lord weighs motives as well as actions. A generous act without a generous heart loses its true value before God. Scripture repeatedly warns against hypocrisy – lips that honour while the heart remains far away (Isa. 29:13). True kindness flows from love, not obligation, pride, or self-interest.
‘The morsel which thou hast eaten shalt thou vomit up.’ When the hidden spirit behind the stingy man’s hospitality becomes evident, the enjoyment of the meal disappears. What once seemed pleasant becomes deeply uncomfortable because it was not offered freely or lovingly. The vivid picture of vomiting expresses revulsion, regret, and emotional distress. One feels troubled knowing that the kindness shown outwardly was inwardly resented. The conscience becomes uneasy, and the sweetness of the experience is turned bitter. This reveals how greatly sincerity matters in human relationships. Love and generosity cannot be measured merely by what is placed on the table, but by the spirit in which it is given. A small gift given with love brings joy, but an abundance offered grudgingly leaves sorrow behind.
To be continued…
Living the Word 