What does Proverbs 27:7 mean?

When one is full, even tasty foods are unappealing. When one is starving, even unpleasant food seems enjoyable. In the ancient world, honey was the primary example of something sweet and delicious. Even so, a person can only stomach so much at once; eventually, even the thought of eating more brings nausea.

There is also a poetic application to this lesson. Likely, this proverb is intended to highlight the different attitudes of wealthy and impoverished people. A wealthy person may not appreciate what they are offered; a poor person appreciates even a small gift. Ingratitude and entitlement are temptations for anyone, but especially for those used to getting what they want. This is a major reason Jesus warned about the spiritual risks associated with wealth (Matthew 19:23).

To despise what God has provided would be ungrateful; it is appropriate to be thankful for what we have. James tells us, "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change" (James 1:17). Paul wrote to Timothy about false teachers who mandated celibacy and abstinence from certain foods. He declares that God created those foods "to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving" (1 Timothy 4:3–4).