Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has complaints? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes? Those who linger long at the wine, Those who go in search of mixed wine. (Proverbs 23:29-30)
Devotional
Drunkenness is a scourge of mankind. Alcohol-related deaths outnumber deaths related to drugs four-to-one. "Alcohol is a factor in more than half of all domestic violence and sexual assault cases. In 1995, four out of every ten people on probation said they were drinking when they committed a violent crime. Between accidents, health problems, crime, and lost productivity, researchers estimate alcohol abuse costs the economy $167 billion a year.”[1] As children of the King, we are royalty.[2] And “It is not for kings to drink wine, Nor for princes intoxicating drink.”[3] Every one of us knows someone who has had his or her life ruined by alcohol. Why then would we treat it so glibly? Is it a sin to drink a glass of wine? No. But if it causes another to stumble, I will not. Life is too valuable.
[1] "The Drug That Pretends It Isn't," Newsweek (4-10-00), p. 88