Counsel #20 — Meals with Meaning

Picture: Counsel #20 — Meals with MeaningCWe 109.1

Although Jesus cherished sharing meals and connecting with others through food, His deeper relationship with God is what truly shaped how He viewed and approached food overall. Unlike Eve, who doubted God’s direction and saw His love as restrictive due to the serpent’s deception, Jesus experienced and illuminated God’s character as a loving and providing Father.CWe 109.2

Eve’s mistrust and desire to be “all-knowing” like God led her to eat the forbidden fruit, but Jesus, our primary Example, trusted in God’s abundant provision. This trust allowed Jesus to view food as more than sustenance—it was a gift from God, to be received with gratitude and self-control.^{[138]Matthew 14:19; 1 Corinthians 11:24} When considering your relationship with food, reflect on this question: What steps can I take to limit the temptation of overindulgence? This might mean physically removing junk food from your home or unfollowing social media accounts that trigger unhealthy cravings. Whatever the process looks like in your life, never let food become your idol — for what you put first in your life will always show where your priorities lie.^{[139] https://adventistreview.org/commentary/soul-food/} CWe 109.3

“And when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 1 Corinthians 11:24 NIVCWe 109.4

“God has furnished man with abundant means for the gratification of an unperverted appetite.” Ellen White in Child Guidance, p. 380CWe 109.5

Reflect: How would you describe your relationship with food?CWe 109.6