Supper, Sips, and Stogies
I have recently been in a handful of conversations regarding the permissibility of Christians smoking cigars and drinking whiskey. These discussions are always tough because they often involve either close friends who are confronting me about the perceived poor direction my life seems to be heading or acquaintances from church who accuse me of potentially causing someone to stumble.
As someone who often feels like the black sheep in every group I’m part of, these conversations require a lot of patience as I am a passionate individual, and when my passions surface, they can sometimes come across as anger, even though that is not my intent. Throughout these conversations, I try to share my perspective and a biblical foundation for why I indulge in such activities and why I believe they can be good. However, these conversations often aren’t initiated with a genuine desire to understand my perspective. Instead, they’re typically meant to convince me of my error.
To give more context, I don’t just smoke cigars; I am also one of the owners of a cigar company, Patriarch Cigar Co. Because of this, many people might perceive me as not just playing with sin but diving headfirst into it.
Most of those who confront me about this supposed backsliding share a similar religious background to mine. They are often Pentecostals (the title I no longer claim as our theological differences have grown quite vast), and for clarity’s sake, this means they believe in the gifts of the Spirit. To be clear, I also believe in the gifts of the Spirit, so that’s not where we differ. Nor is this blog intended to focus on that distinction.
However, I find it ironic that many Pentecostals (and I’ll try to avoid making blanket statements here, but bear with me) tend to emphasize spiritual gifts over the physical gifts that God has also provided. Granted, if you were to ask them whether air, water, breath, clothing, etc., are gifts from God, they would undoubtedly say yes. They would, as I do, distinguish between common grace (gifts given to all people) and the spiritual gifts referenced in the New Testament.
Where we diverge, however, is in how broadly we understand the category of common grace. Ecclesiastes 3:13 says, “Also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God’s gift to man.”
This passage in Ecclesiastes, written by King Solomon, reflects on the fleeting and sometimes perplexing nature of human life. Chapter 3 begins by emphasizing that everything in life has its time and season, as stated in verse 1: “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” Verse 13 offers insight into the balance between God’s sovereignty and human enjoyment.
The context of the passage suggests that there is nothing man can do on all the earth that would change the plans God has for it. The preceding verses remind us that life’s cycles and events are determined by Him. Rather than being consumed with worry over the uncontrollable nature of life, we are encouraged to focus on the blessings God has already provided. Verse 13 highlights these blessings, describing them as the joys of life—eating, drinking, and taking satisfaction in our work. These are not just permissible activities; they are described as gifts from God. And to just be clear, I highly doubt this reference to drink meant any other than wine. Psalm 104:14–15 solidifies this argument: “You cause the grass to grow for the livestock and plants for man to cultivate, that he may bring forth food from the earth 15 and wine to gladden the heart of man, oil to make his face shine and bread to strengthen man’s heart.” Work and labor are valuable as well, not only for productivity and provision but also for fostering satisfaction, contentment, and gratitude. Similarly, just as there is a time to work, there is also a time to rest and we are called to enjoy this rest just as much. This balanced rhythm is evident throughout Scripture (e.g., the Sabbath).
Ecclesiastes continues to reflect on the brevity of life, urging readers to savor God’s blessings rather than being consumed by worry and vanity. The message is clear: everything in life, including life itself, is a gift. Life is fleeting, and one way to glorify God is by enjoying the common graces and blessings He has given us. John Piper famously said, “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.”
However, we must also consider the other side of the coin. Proverbs 25:28 states, “A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.” While Ecclesiastes teaches that there is a time for everything, Scripture is unequivocally firm that there is never a time for sin. Lack of self-control in any aspect of life allows us to be puppets in the enemy’s hands. To be utterly clear, drunkenness is a sin.
So how does this all apply to smoking and drinking? For me, these activities are an opportunity to enjoy the common graces and blessings provided by our kind and loving Creator. Of course, this requires discernment and self-control. Overindulgence and addiction—and all that stems from them—are sinful. God has also provided these bodies for us and asks us to steward them through exercise, avoiding sins against the body (such as sexual immorality), and balancing work and rest. Our bodies have eternal value as they will be resurrected and glorified when Christ returns. When enjoyed responsibly by self-controlled individuals, it is a means by which we can experience gratitude, a way to thank God for the gifts He has provided and the beauty He has woven into the fabric of creation.
A cigar is more than just tobacco; it represents craftsmanship, tradition, and fellowship. At Patriarch Cigar Co., we embrace this identity fully. Craftsmanship reflects beauty, intricacy, and excellence in all things. Tradition honors the legacy passed down through generations, not only in tobacco but also in leaving a foundation for our children and grandchildren, rooted in the glory of Christ. Fellowship is at the very heart of cigars, the body of Christ, and even sharing Christ Himself with the world. In short, Patriarch Cigar Co. strives to create something beautiful, worth passing down to future generations, that glorifies God in every aspect.
Patriarch’s vision is to invigorate the seemingly ancient idea of thoughtful conversation. In times past, deep conversation consistently occurred over supper, sips, and stogies. The temperance era, in which the U.S. reacted poorly to rampant drunkenness, stole the arena where friends and family historically gathered to talk and debate. We are making an effort to bring these arenas back to the forefront—to draw communities closer together and closer to the Creator. Our goal is to revive the beauty and craftsmanship exhibited in both the smoke and the glass, celebrating the thoughtful moments they inspire.
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