Sarah Henning, the Features Editor for the Lawrence Journal-World, asked me to respond to a question for "Faith Forum," which is a weekly Saturday column in which two local religious figures share their views on a topic. The topic for this week is "In this day and age, is gluttony still a sin?" I suppose the question is related to the season of Lent. Here is my response:
If sin is seeking our own will instead of God’s will, thereby distorting our relationship with God, others, and creation itself, and gluttony is overconsumption of the gifts God provides, then in light of what we now know about the impacts of overconsumption, there is more reason than ever to consider gluttony a sin.
The biblical revelation makes us conscious that we were intended to have a dynamic relationship with our Creator. The privilege of stewardship is a vocation given to no other creature. Caring for creation involves consideration for the needs of others. When my overconsumption (gluttony) results in a shortage of the necessities of life for others whom God also created and loves, my relationship with God, other people, and creation is distorted.
As much as 64% of the adult U.S. population is overweight. One-third are obese. The chief causes are simple: eating more food than the body needs, drinking too much alcohol, and getting too little exercise. The impact on healthcare alone is startling. Studies indicate that increases in the prevalence of obesity in the U.S. accounts for 12% of the growth in health spending.
Our appetites are enormous in a world where people are starving. The World Health Organization estimates that one-third of the world is well-fed, one-third is under-fed, and one-third is starving. During the time you’ve been reading this, at least 200 people have died of starvation. Over 4 million will die this year.
This condition is a distortion of God’s vision. To live my life in a gluttonous way contributes to the perpetuation of the distortion. So, yes, gluttony is still a sin. Since I’m 20 lb. overweight, I’m among the sinners and need to repent. Better stewardship of the body God has given me expresses love for God and for my neighbor.
P.S. The following sources were helpful to me in preparing my response and I commend them to others who are exploring the relationship between gluttony, obesity, and world hunger.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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