TJ,
As Enid said, gluttony is a sin, but I cannot comment on what God will use as a measuring stick to determine how many pounds is too much, but I am experiencing something that may shed some 'fat' on the issue.
I attend morning church here in South Korea. My pastor is...fat. He has a round face and an even rounder stomach. Is he going to hell? I doubt it, however, I do feel that it affects his ministry.
Fat people know when they are fat and they also know of ways to mask or hide things that would reveal more of their 'fatness'. This pastor speaks holding a microphone and almost each sentence he speaks, his arm moves, which forces him to adjust his suit jacket, so that it is perfectly aligned, so to not reveal his body more than it already is.
Whether he knowingly does this or it is his subconscience doing it, it does distract him and at least me. Also, when he breaths in through the mic, you can hear a 'fat man's' breath. A couple months ago, our church did a fast together. He fasted for 21 days, on a juice diet, and talked about it almost each and everyday. In my mind, I was thinking, "couldn't you have done the whole 40?!"
This is not to belittle fat people. Some people have problems and issues, which leads them to gain weight, or eat to gain weight. I used to drink, smoke, and do drugs, so I understand crutches. My concern is what TJ brought up... fat pastors and preachers.
I am in Korea, where I have never eaten so healthy in my entire live. I also agree with Enid, in that healthy food is not expensive at all. Everyday, I eat rice and some sort of side dish (spiced garlic (I'm in love and it's so cheap...but I do smell pretty bad), spiced dried fish, kimchi (spiced cabbage), and many others), and maybe a sweet or regular potato, or eggs. We eat a lot of greens like lettuce. Hmmhmm...there are so many good foods, and that does not even include the meat.
So, healthy food is not expensive, except for meat, but that is not necessary everyday, or even more than a couple times a week. We usually finish our meal with fruit. I have never eaten so much fruit in my life (apples, tangerines, pears, grapes, bananas, perssimmons, and kiwi).
When I lived in Canada, my problem was not that I could not eat the same food, it was that I was too lazy to buy it or make my own. I have learned how easy and actually fun it is to have a sit down meal, with family and friends, rather than a burger or pizza.
Korean people are generally healthy and they are quick to belittle one another on such issues as obesity (they are very hard on others), so I do not know why my pastor is any different. Yesterday, he was obviously suffering from a cold and then he mentioned a sore throught.
He is a good man, but he is fat. I find it very difficult to look at him as a pastor who is supposed to be teaching me how to live a good life. I know I am to learn my lessons from the word, prayer and with a fellowship with Jesus, but pastors should represent the church the best way possible.
It is hard to take a man seriously who talks about fasting, when it looks as though he has never missed a meal in his life. There is a thread on here about proper attire in the church. Pastors, especially, have the responsibility to set an example for the rest of the people.
This pastor has four children, the youngest, a boy, is as fat as him. Why? Because dad is.
Anyway, I love everyone, I would just like to see people loving themself a little more. I love to exercise, but I also know if I do not, I will be affected in a way which will effect all other areas of my life. If you don't use it, you will lose it.
God Bless and be healthy...
BrianMira
