Gluttony

[timeandeternity]

An aquaintance of mine is planning on trying a challenge at a local restaurant that involves attempting to eat a 5-pound grilled cheese sandwich, a pound of fries, and a pound of coleslaw. Although I know he is capable of eating incredibly copious amounts of food without feeling full, this is still quite gluttonous. Should I oppose this, making clear my reasons for doing so?

 

[baltobetsy]

No. It’s a one-time thing, not an indication that food rules this person’s life and takes a more important place than God. Let him have his fun. Besides, if this person is not someone over whom you have some spiritual authority, you have no business telling him what to do.

 

[svid2]

I agree. It’s not a habit; it’s not a problem. If you like, you could pray for him, that he doesn’t get sick!

 

[EmeraldWings]

what constitutes gluttony is not how much we eat, but the importance we put on food itself, it is an inordinate desire for the pleasure connected with food or drink, and although we must take care not to give our bodies far to much or far to little food than it needs, it is still ok to eat more than you need once in awhile as long as it’s not going over board, the key is temperance,

and in this case, i would agree with the others, it’s a one time thing for the purpose of winning a contest(of some sort)
of course it’s always best to consult with a priest, but in this case it’s not being done out of an inordinate love of food, so i think it’s ok.

if you’re still not sure, just ask your priest.

 

[Oneofthewomen]

what constitutes gluttony is not how much we eat, but the importance we put on food itself, it is an inordinate desire for the pleasure connected with food or drink,

While I do agree with this on some level, what about someone like me, where food is part of my life? I work in health-care food service and am also a private chef, and I derive much pleasure in preparing and eating food, and watching others enjoy the fruits of my labors.

I ask, because this is something I have often wondered about- what exactly constitutes “gluttony” and how does one be a chef if they take no pleasure in what they do?

 

[baltobetsy]

While I do agree with this on some level, what about someone like me, where food is part of my life? I work in health-care food service and am also a private chef, and I derive much pleasure in preparing and eating food, and watching others enjoy the fruits of my labors.

I ask, because this is something I have often wondered about- what exactly constitutes “gluttony” and how does one be a chef if they take no pleasure in what they do?

Preparing food is your professional work, which means you should do it to the best of your ability for the glory of God and the service of your fellow man. If you’re doing that, you will also find joy in it, which must be distinguished from the dependence upon pleasure that defines gluttony. Gluttony is using food or some other substance or activity even, to fill the space in your soul that God should be filling. Finding joy and enjoyment in cooking, serving and eating good food is a whole different thing from using food in place of God in your life.

 

[EmeraldWings]

While I do agree with this on some level, what about someone like me, where food is part of my life? I work in health-care food service and am also a private chef, and I derive much pleasure in preparing and eating food, and watching others enjoy the fruits of my labors.

I ask, because this is something I have often wondered about- what exactly constitutes “gluttony” and how does one be a chef if they take no pleasure in what they do?

baltobetsy already answered this nicely,
but i’d like to add, i also enjoy cooking very much, i enjoy food, and i am happy to see others enjoying what i make, and there’s nothing wrong with that, it’s perfectly normal to take joy in the things you love to do(provided they’re not sinful things)

the difference here is, there is no harm being done by what joy you have with your job,
gluttony is an inordinate desire of food and drink, so you just have to ask yourself, are you going over board in any way? or would you be willing to hurt yourself or someone else for the food you enjoy?
gluttony only becomes a serious sin when you are willing to hurt yourself or someone else to get it, either physically, or financially, or whatever else, or if you make food your god, being willing to offend God just to have it.
but i don’t see your job or enjoyment of food as gluttony, and even still, gluttony is only rarely a mortal sin.

so don’t worry about that, food is an important part of our lives, we need it to live, and so there’s nothing wrong with enjoying it in an orderly way.

 

[Oneofthewomen]

Betsy & Wings-

Thank you both! I feel the same way, one of the reasons I asked is because I was having a conversation about this very thing with an aquaintance who has very traditional leanings, and their opinions were drastically different.

So different that at one point they said that I should go to confession everyday if I want to receive communion, because my life is so centered on food.

 

[Mrs_Sally]

An aquaintance of mine is planning on trying a challenge at a local restaurant that involves attempting to eat a 5-pound grilled cheese sandwich, a pound of fries, and a pound of coleslaw. Although I know he is capable of eating incredibly copious amounts of food without feeling full, this is still quite gluttonous. Should I oppose this, making clear my reasons for doing so?

This kind of thing is bad for people’s health and wasteful of food, but I don’t think it is a grave sin. If this person were just an aquaintance, I would probably just say, “Yuck, I can’t stand watching that sort of thing.” and leave it at that. If this person were a friend, I’d probably talk more about the wastefulness of it, ask them to call me another day since I wouldn’t be at the event, and move on. If this were a close friend or family member, only then would I discuss their personal culpability for any sin that might be involved.