Topical Encyclopedia
The term "sumptuously" is often associated with lavishness, luxury, and opulence. In the context of the Bible, it is used to describe a lifestyle characterized by extravagant and excessive indulgence in material wealth and pleasures. This concept is explored in various passages, highlighting both the allure and the potential spiritual pitfalls of living sumptuously.
One of the most notable references to living sumptuously is found in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus in the Gospel of Luke. In
Luke 16:19 , Jesus tells the story: "Now there was a rich man dressed in purple and fine linen, who lived each day in joyous splendor." The rich man's sumptuous lifestyle is depicted through his clothing and daily indulgence, contrasting sharply with the poverty and suffering of Lazarus, a beggar who lay at his gate. This parable serves as a moral lesson on the dangers of wealth and the neglect of compassion and charity.
The Bible often warns against the spiritual dangers associated with a sumptuous lifestyle. In
1 Timothy 6:9-10 , the Apostle Paul cautions, "Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil." Here, the pursuit of wealth and the desire to live sumptuously are linked to spiritual peril, emphasizing the importance of contentment and godliness over material abundance.
In the Old Testament, the prophet Amos also addresses the issue of living sumptuously.
Amos 6:4-6 describes those who "lie on beds of ivory and lounge on their couches, dining on choice lambs and fattened calves. They improvise songs to the sound of the harp and invent their own musical instruments like David. They drink wine by the bowlful and anoint themselves with the finest oils, but they are not grieved over the ruin of Joseph." This passage criticizes the complacency and self-indulgence of the wealthy in Israel, who are oblivious to the suffering and injustice around them.
The Bible's teachings on living sumptuously are not a blanket condemnation of wealth or enjoyment of God's blessings. Rather, they serve as a reminder to prioritize spiritual values, generosity, and compassion over the fleeting pleasures of material excess. The call is to use one's resources wisely and to be mindful of the needs of others, reflecting the heart of God in all aspects of life.
Greek
4910. suneuocheomai -- to entertain together, pass. feast together... feast together. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: suneuocheomai Phonetic Spelling:
(soon-yoo-o-kheh'-o) Short Definition: I feast
sumptuously with Definition
...2988. lampros -- splendidly
... Part of Speech: Adverb Transliteration: lampros Phonetic Spelling: (lam-proce')
Short Definition: magnificently,sumptuously Definition: magnificently...
Library
Those who are Dissatisfied with the Fact that the Good Receive...
... A third question yet remains; it is this: Why do sinners have abundance of wealth
and riches, and faresumptuously, and have no grief or sorrow; whilst the...
On the Second Part of the Psalm.
... What will he do in hell? Will it be what the rich man had to do, he who was wont
"to faresumptuously" in the upper world, and in hell "was tormented"?...
The Rich Man and Lazarus.
... XXVI. THE RICH MAN AND LAZARUS. "There was a certain rich man, which was clothed
in purple and fine linen, and faredsumptuously every day: and there was a...
The Rich Man and Lazarus
... and, consequently, esteemed the more highly, both as appearing suitably to his fortune,
and as an encourager of trade; " "and faredsumptuously every day...
The Adventure of the Three Sons of Saint George.
... Then the three young Knights weresumptuously entertained and pressed by the Duke
to stay; but mindful of their duty, they speedily set forth again to search...
The Second Part.
... For what sayest thou? Because he ate and drank, because he did what he chose, because
he feastedsumptuously, therefore he did well with himself....
Even Now, as the Matter Refers to Thy Opinion on a Point the More...
... Thou canst not but adulate those for whose sake thou art feasting it so
sumptuously. Dost thou then speak of him as poor who feels not?...
The Procession of Sorrow
... I claim for the procession of my Lord an interest superior to the pageant you are
now so anxiously expecting. Will your Prince besumptuously arrayed?...
Conversations.
... Animals intended to be offered in sacrifice, caparisoned in trappings of gold, horsemen
mostsumptuously equipped, chariots of war splendidly built and adorned...
The Adventures of Saint George of England.
... The Knight was feastedsumptuously, and magnificent shows were got up for his
entertainment, while the King, who had taken a great fancy to him, from believing...
Thesaurus
Sumptuously (1 Occurrence)... Multi-Version Concordance
Sumptuously (1 Occurrence). Luke 16:19 There was
a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine
...Fare (13 Occurrences)
... in addition to its occurrence in the word "farewell" (which see), occurs only once
(Luke 16:19), where it is said that the rich man "faredsumptuously every day...
Faring (2 Occurrences)
... Faring (2 Occurrences). Luke 16:19 Now there was a certain rich man, and he was
clothed in purple and fine linen, faringsumptuously every day: (ASV)....
Fared (8 Occurrences)
... Fared (8 Occurrences). Luke 16:19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed
in purple and fine linen, and faredsumptuously every day: (KJV WBS)....
Feast (209 Occurrences)
... entertainment. 4. (n.) To eatsumptuously; to dine or sup on rich provisions,
particularly in large companies, and on public festivals. 5...
Merry (38 Occurrences)
... (KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV). Luke 16:19 And -- a certain man was rich, and was
clothed in purple and fine linen, making merrysumptuously every day, (YLT)....
Sumptuous (1 Occurrence)
Sums (1 Occurrence)
Resources
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