Who are you Eating with?

 "Do not eat the bread of a man who is stingy, for he is like one who is inwardly calculating.  'Eat and drink!' he says to you, but his heart is not with you.  You will vomit up the morsels that you have eaten, and waste your pleasant words."

Proverbs 23:6-8

It is so vitally important that we evaluate the company we keep in our walk with Jesus.  So often we are worried about what others think about us and how we live.  Our natural man wants to impress others and have the favor of men, but this is not the way the Lord would have us walk.  In fact, this only ever is a temporary feeling of favor and approval.  The scripture above explains that it is so important for us to evaluate the character of the people we are spending time with.  In ancient Hebrew culture sharing a meal with others was an intimate act of inviting people into your life and home.  By doing this you were showing love and acceptance for the other person.  Therefore, this portion of scripture above, would offer to us that we must be mindful and use our best discernment with who we are allowing into our inner most circle.  Judging others is God's job, but we are called to use wisdom and discernment in who we are yoking ourselves with.  There are people in our lives that we may be getting so involved with, but their hearts may not be with us.  Proverbs 13:20 tells us, "whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm".  We must be on alert to our closest companions in our walk with Christ.  Our culture today makes it of utmost importance who we are seen with and what we are seen doing.  If you are seen with the right people, doing the right things, then you will have favor of the people in our society.  "It is dangerous to be concerned with what others think of you, but if you trust the Lord, you are safe" (Pro. 29:25).  Our lives can become an endless pursuit to do the next thing that will impress others when we live for the admiration of people, rather than trusting in the Lord, and living to please Him.  It is easy to get caught in a life that becomes a cycle of people pleasing, rather than the abundant life of peace, joy, and love that the Lord calls us to.  Today, evaluate your motivation of the people you have in your life.  Evaluate this from both ends.  Pray and use discernment to take stock of the purpose others serve in your walk.  But, also pray and ask the Lord to open your eyes to how you are with those in your life.  Are you people pleasing?  Are you living for the approval of others, rather than living to please God?  Living for others is certain to be exhausting because you will NEVER fulfill your purpose that the Lord has in His will for you life.  You will NEVER walk fully in your calling if your intentions are to please others, rather than the One who created you.  Pray and ask God to give you a heart that seeks to please Him, and to open your eyes to the people that are closest to you.  Love you all!  Praying for you and yours!  Have a blessed day, it's your choice!